Speaker, tell me a joke: The feasibility of using smart speaker technology for health and well-being in an older adult population (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Faulkenberry McCloud ◽  
Carly Perez ◽  
Mesfin Awoke Bekalu ◽  
Kasisomayajula Viswanath
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Study Staff ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Additional Explanation ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND Although smart speaker technology is poised to help improve the health and well-being of older adults through offering services such as music, medication reminders, and connection to others, more research is needed to determine how older adults from lower socioeconomic position (SEP) accept and use this technology. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to serve as a feasibility study for using smart speakers for improving the health and well-being of older low SEP adults. METHODS Forty nine adults between the age of 65 to 85 who lived in a subsidized housing community were recruited to take part in a three-month study. Participants had a smart speaker into their home and were given a brief orientation to its use. Over the course of the study, participants were given weekly check-in calls to help assist with any problems and newsletters with tips on how to use the speaker. Participants received a pretest and posttest to gauge comfort with technology, well-being, and perceptions of and use of the speaker. Study staff also maintained detailed process notes of interactions with participants over the course of the study, including a log of all issues reported. RESULTS At the end of the study period, 38% of the participants indicated using the speaker daily, and 38% reported using it several times per week. Seventy-two percent of the participants indicated that they wanted to continue using the speaker after the end of the study. The majority (63%) indicated that the speaker was useful, and approximately half of participants felt that the speaker gave them another voice to talk to (51%) and connected them with the outside world (47%). Although common uses were using the speaker for weather, music, and news, fewer reported using it for health-related questions. Despite initial challenges participants experienced with framing questions to the speaker, additional explanation by study staff addressed these issues in the first weeks of the study. CONCLUSIONS Results from this study indicate that there is promise for smart speaker technology with older low SEP adults, particularly to connect them to music, news, and reminders. Future studies will need to provide more up-front training on query formation, as well as develop and promote more specific options for older adults, particularly in the area of health and well-being. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/jmir.4375

scholarly journals Transitions in Loneliness Among Older Adults: A 5-Year Follow-Up in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise C. Hawkley ◽  
Masha Kocherginsky
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Functional Factors ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Health And Well Being

A substantial portion of the older adult population suffers from frequent feelings of loneliness, but a large proportion remains relatively unscathed by loneliness. To date, research examining both protective and risk factors for loneliness has not included data from the United States. The present study used the first two waves of data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to examine sociodemographic, structural, and functional factors thought to be associated with loneliness in older adults. Functional limitations and low family support were associated with an increase in loneliness frequency (as were more strained friendships) and with transitioning from nonlonely to lonely status. Better self-rated health, higher levels of socializing frequency, and lower family strain were associated with transitioning from lonely to nonlonely status. Interventions that target these factors may be effective in preventing and reducing loneliness and its effects on health and well-being in older adults.

scholarly journals “Conviv\^{e}ncia” Groups: Building Active and Healthy Communities of Older Adults in Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tânia R. Bertoldo Benedetti ◽  
Eleonora d'Orsi ◽  
Andiara Schwingel ◽  
Wojtek J. Chodzko-Zajko
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Programs ◽  
Crucial Component ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

In old age, social groups can be a crucial component for health and well-being. In 2009-2010, a follow-up survey was carried out in Florianópolis, Brazil to understand the impact of a variety of programs established since 2002 that were designed to enhance social activities among the older adult population. This study employed two surveys within the population of older adults in Florianópolis. The first survey interviewed a total of 875 older adults in 2002, and the second survey involved 1,705 older adults between 2009 and 2010. By 2010, many new programs were offered in the community and the enrollment of older adults in social programs followed similar trends. “Convivência” groups stood out as extremely popular social groups among this population. This paper discusses some of the potential outcomes associated with participation in “convivência” groups.

scholarly journals The Health and Well-Being of African-American Older Adults With a History of Incarceration

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 506-506
Author(s):  
Rodlescia Sneed
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Formerly Incarcerated ◽  
Older Prisoners ◽  
Health Related ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
African American Older Adults

Abstract African-Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Longer prison stays and release programs for older prisoners may result in an increased number of community-dwelling older adults with a history of incarceration. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in research on health-related outcomes for currently incarcerated older adults; however, there has been little inquiry into outcomes for formerly incarcerated African-American older adults following community re-entry. In this study, we used secondary data from the Health and Retirement Study to describe employment, economic, and health-related outcomes in this population. Twelve percent of the 2238 African-Americans in our sample had been previously incarcerated. Those who had been previously incarcerated had higher rates of lung disease, arthritis, back problems, mobility problems, and mental health issues than their counterparts. They also had higher rates of hospitalization and lower use of dental health services. Further, while they did not experience lower employment rates than those with no criminal history, those who had been incarcerated had more physically demanding jobs and reported greater economic strain. Given the disproportionate incarceration rates among African-Americans, the aging of the prison population, and the increase in community re-entry for older prisoners, research that explores factors that impact the health and well-being of formerly incarcerated individuals has broad impact. Future work should focus on addressing the needs of this vulnerable population of African-American older adults.

The Use of Yoga for Physical and Mental Health Among Older Adults: A Review of the Literature

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Wang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Benefits ◽  
Improve Sleep Quality ◽  
Older Adult Population

The older adult population may greatly benefit from the practice of Yoga. This article reviews the scientific evidence supporting the use of Yoga with older adults. Nine studies were identified that examined either physical or mental health outcomes in older adults following a Yoga intervention. There is growing evidence that Yoga can improve physical well-being, including balance, range of motion, blood pressure, pain, fatigue, and general health. There is less evidence available that examines the cognitive and mental health benefits of Yoga for older adults. However, there is preliminary evidence that Yoga can improve sleep quality and depression. Only three of the reviewed studies were randomized controlled trials, and more studies of high methodological quality are needed. Implications for further research and practice are offered.

scholarly journals Family Assistance for Older Adults in Puerto Rico

10.18060/3809 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 276-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul-Jesús Fericelli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Public Assistance ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Family Assistance ◽  
A Value ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Government Initiative

Global aging is a growing issue in most countries, including Puerto Rico. The well being of the older adult population depends mainly on a collaborative government initiative that uses both public assistance and the engagement of family members. Puerto Rican policymakers are searching for alternatives to care for the expanding elderly population as well as to protect the country’s economy, avoid the financial cliff, and reduce the high cost of public assistance. The purpose of this article is to analyze The Act for the Improvement of the Family Assistance and for the Support of the Elderly, Act No. 193 of 2002, under the criteria-based model (Gallagher & Haskins, 1984) with a value-critical appraisal (Chambers & Wedel, 2009). I suggest Act No. 193 of 2002 as a model for policymakers who are seeking ways to improve assistance for older adults, by promoting the following values: fairness, familism, fraternity, and accountability.

scholarly journals “Especially for People Our Age”: Exploring the Correlates of Ageism During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 601-601
Author(s):  
Jennifer Sublett ◽  
Michael Vale ◽  
Toni Bisconti
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented context for older adults where they may feel patronized, isolated, and fearful because of their greater risk of getting COVID-19 and being targets of ageism. Previous researchers have linked ageism negatively with health and well-being; although, the majority of this research has highlighted the negative, or hostile, aspects of ageism, and excluded the overaccommodative and patronizing qualities of benevolent ageism. Since the start of the pandemic, both forms of ageism have been noted to be more salient with claims of an ageism outbreak (Ayalon et al., 2020). The correlates of ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic are widely unknown, and the goal of this study was to explore whether experiences of ageism were related to different affective and health-related responses to the pandemic. In a sample of older adults (N=65) collected in September 2020, we found that benevolent ageism positively correlated with pandemic specific experiences of pity (r=.27, p<.05), loneliness (r=.30, p<.05), worry (r=.40, p<.01), and negatively related to self-reported physical health (r=-.31, p<.05) and emotional well-being (r=-.26, p<.05). Hostile ageism did not relate to pity, but positively correlated with loneliness (r=.25, p<.05) and worry (r=.37, p<.01), and negatively related to physical health (r=-.27, p<.05) and emotional well-being (r=-.38, p<.01). This work provides preliminary evidence of how the lives of older adults have been influenced by COVID-19 and the resulting ageism outbreak. Future research should continue this avenue of study with more expansive and inclusive samples and approaches as the pandemic is not over.

Relocation to/Within a Retirement Community: Older Adults' Perceived Satisfaction With Transitioning

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
Heather Peck ◽  
Anupama Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Retirement Community ◽  
Grand Challenge ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction ◽  
Older Adult Population

The older adult population is exponentially increasing, and senior living communities are now the preferred lifestyle of the aging. Research finds that relocations for older adults can be extremely difficult. To inform how agencies can support a satisfactory transition for older adults, this study draws on survey data to explore factors affecting older adults' perceived satisfaction with relocating to or within a continuing care retirement community in Southern California. Results demonstrated that overall satisfaction with the transition process increased when older adults identified themselves as primary decision makers of the relocation and when they experienced a higher level of welcomeness at the facility. Results also displayed that residents identified staff visits as the most important support they received during their transition. Results address the Social Work Grand Challenge of Advancing Long and Productive Lives by informing agencies, educators, and practitioners about strategies to increase the well-being of transitioning older adults.

scholarly journals Resilience, Purpose in Life, Loneliness, and Associated Medical Costs in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 182-182
Author(s):  
Rifky Tkatch ◽  
Gandhi Bhattarai ◽  
Sandra Kraemer ◽  
James Schaeffer ◽  
Charlotte Yeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Claims Data ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Medical Costs ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Resilience, purpose in life (PIL), and loneliness have been linked, and used to characterize the health and well-being of older adults. Studies demonstrate that higher resilience, PIL, and minimal loneliness are associated with better late-life outcomes. However, research on how these constructs negatively impact medical costs is limited. Using survey and claims data from a large sample of older adults age 65+ (N=4,496), resilience, PIL, and loneliness were examined to determine associations with medical costs. Among study participants, 11% exhibited low resilience, 19% severe loneliness, and 35% low PIL. Low resilience was associated with 24% higher medical costs compared to participants with high resilience, severe loneliness with 20% higher costs compared to participants with no loneliness, and low PIL marginally associated with 12% higher costs compared to participants with high PIL. Interventions targeting resilience, PIL, and loneliness could be beneficial to promoting successful aging and lowering medical costs.

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