Impact of community-based technology training with low-income older adults

Abstract

Objectives

Compared with younger and middle-aged adults, older adults are less likely to adopt new computer technology, potentially limiting access to healthcare and many other important resources available online. This limitation could impact cognitive abilities, well-being, and mental health outcomes of older adults. The aims of the present study were to increase access to online county and healthcare resources, while also assessing the impact of technology access on cognitive functioning and multiple well-being domains.

Methods

A pilot community collaboration provided a two-month tablet training intervention, focused on increasing digital independence via tablet navigation, resources access, and fraud and scam prevention, to 20 low-income older adult participants (75% female, M_age = 70.85). Pre- and post-test phone interviews were conducted to measure any changes in digital independence, cognitive abilities, well-being, mental health, and mindset.

Results

Linear mixed effects models revealed no significant changes in outcome measures from pre- to post-test. However, we found effects of digital independence on several well-being measures, providing important information for the impact of technology access and training for low-income older adults.

Conclusion

This pilot intervention offers limited but promising results, inspiring further investigations that may inform public health and policy services to address barriers to access and potentially improve psychological health.

Keywords:

• Technology
• aging
• skill-learning
• engagement

Acknowledgements

We thank the Riverside County Office on Aging for inviting the researchers to advise in the design of the study and providing us the opportunity to share this work. We thank the IT support team with OoA, the social workers who conducted over-the-phone assessments, and all members of the county team who aided in conducting this intervention. We would also like to thank the participants of this intervention. Without any of these parties, this work would not have been possible. We would like to acknowledge the research assistants and interns, namely Mehak Shahzad, who provided proof-reading and edit suggestions in prior versions of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

Data, analytic methods, and study materials will be made available upon request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

Tablets for program participants were acquired in partnership with the Community Access Center, Riverside’s (https://ilcac.org/) accessibility and technology program. OOA staff time and purchase of assistive device bundles were made possible through the California Department of Aging, Aging & Disability Resource Connection grant allocation (https://aging.ca.gov/Providers_and_Partners/Aging_and_Disability_Resource_Connection/). RW was supported by a Johns Hopkins University Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (1 P30 AG 059298) and an NSF CAREER Award (BCS-1848026).