Presentation
DH7 - Enabling Home- and Community-Based Organizations to Provide Support Services Through Video Conferencing Platform
DescriptionSocial engagement in older adults is fundamental for maintaining health and quality of life, and is associated with beneficial mental, physical, and cognitive outcomes. Conversely, low social engagement has been linked to negative health outcomes, including poorer quality of life, mortality, impaired cognitive function, and heightened risk of dementia onset outcomes (National Academies of Sciences , 2020). Social engagement can slow decline in cognition and the transition into dementia (Hughes et al., 2013; Lydon et al., 2022) for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an intermediate stage between normal cognitive aging and dementia (Eshkoor et al., 2015; Geda, 2012).
Given the significance of social engagement for older adults, especially those with diverse cognitive capacities, there is an emerging need to develop innovative strategies with broader accessibility to programs and services that support social engagement. Technology offers a promising solution, facilitating convenient social engagement opportunities for older adults without leaving the comfort of their homes (Bixter et al., 2018). Despite the rising popularity of technological interventions, many existing solutions are developed, funded, deployed, and evaluated without input from stakeholders including older adults as well as Home- and Community-Based Organizations (HCBOs). HCBOs offer assistance and navigate essential resources tailored for older adults and their caregivers. These resources encompass a wide range of health and wellness programs and services, such as educational programs on health and the aging, nutritional support, and counseling services (Siegler et al., 2015). The lack of meaningful engagement of HCBOs may represent a missed opportunity, as these organizations are often embedded in the community and have an in-depth understanding of the populations they serve.
Our project aims to bridge that gap by integrating the insights from HCBOs into the design of a video conferencing platform to support activities that serve the older adults. The study explored the utility of OneClick (OneClick 1.0, Potluck LLC, Philadelphia, PA), a video conferencing platform that is designed for older adults. Specifically, this project's objectives are to 1) identify the potential and challenges for HCBOs in providing support services with video conferencing platform; 2) evaluate the scalability of the platform in accommodating the service programs currently offered by HCBOs. For the first objective, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 4 staff members, each working at a different HCBO in Illinois that provided community-based care for older adults. For the second objective, we reviewed a wide range of programs and services provided by 12 regional HCBOs, examined whether these programs and services could be provided virtually, and which functionalities of the OneClick technology could support the provision of virtual services.
Findings from the needs assessment interview indicate OneClick's potential for enhancing social interaction and scalability for HCBOs due to its flexibility, HIPAA compliance, and user-friendly interface. However, HCBOs also identified barriers for older adults, including hesitancy to learn new platforms, reduced uptake if initial usage is problematic, and potential issues with the browser-based system, especially among older adults with memory concerns. They suggested that providing user-friendly training materials could help overcome adoption barriers, especially for older adults new to such technologies.
Furthermore, our review of regional HCBOs programs and services indicated that the current functionalities of OneClick are well suited to support the provision of services that are already being offered. The platform’s "rooms mode" feature, which enables the generation of private and personal room link to start hosting meetings with just one click, is ideal for services such as telehealth appointments and consultations. The "events mode" feature, enables HCBOs to host and facilitate group educational programs and social events. Moreover, the platform's "breakout rooms" further supports the small group discussions within an event, and the RSVP page can be used for better event participation management.
Major Takeaways:
1. HCBOs offer a unique and invaluable perspective on the needs of older adults. Engaging these organizations in development of technology is vital as they have an in-depth understanding of the needs and preferences of the older adults they serve.
2. Video-conferencing platform as OneClick, when tailored with the insights from HCBOs, can be a scalable solution to enhance social engagement for older adults and provide functionalities that align with the programs and services HCBOs offer.
References
Bixter, M. T., Blocker, K. A., & Rogers, W. A. (2018). Enhancing social engagement of older adults through technology. In R. Pak & A. C. McLaughlin (Eds.), Aging, technology and health (pp. 179–214). Elsevier Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811272-4.00008-7
Eshkoor, S. A., Hamid, T. A., Mun, C. Y., & Ng, C. K. (2015). Mild cognitive impairment and its management in older people. Clinical interventions in aging, 10, 687–693. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S73922
Geda Y. E. (2012). Mild cognitive impairment in older adults. Current psychiatry reports, 14(4), 320–327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0291-x
Hughes, T. F., Flatt, J. D., Fu, B., Chang, C. C., & Ganguli, M. (2013). Engagement in social activities and progression from mild to severe cognitive impairment: the MYHAT study. International psychogeriatrics, 25(4), 587–595. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610212002086
Lydon, E. A., Nguyen, L. T., Nie, Q., Rogers, W. A., & Mudar, R. A. (2022). An Integrative Framework to Guide Social Engagement Interventions and Technology Design for Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Frontiers in public health, 9, 750340. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.750340
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Committee on the Health and Medical Dimensions of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults. (2020). Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. National Academies Press (US).
Siegler, E. L., Lama, S. D., Knight, M. G., Laureano, E., & Reid, M. C. (2015). Community-Based Supports and Services for Older Adults: A Primer for Clinicians. Journal of geriatrics, 2015, 678625. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/678625
Given the significance of social engagement for older adults, especially those with diverse cognitive capacities, there is an emerging need to develop innovative strategies with broader accessibility to programs and services that support social engagement. Technology offers a promising solution, facilitating convenient social engagement opportunities for older adults without leaving the comfort of their homes (Bixter et al., 2018). Despite the rising popularity of technological interventions, many existing solutions are developed, funded, deployed, and evaluated without input from stakeholders including older adults as well as Home- and Community-Based Organizations (HCBOs). HCBOs offer assistance and navigate essential resources tailored for older adults and their caregivers. These resources encompass a wide range of health and wellness programs and services, such as educational programs on health and the aging, nutritional support, and counseling services (Siegler et al., 2015). The lack of meaningful engagement of HCBOs may represent a missed opportunity, as these organizations are often embedded in the community and have an in-depth understanding of the populations they serve.
Our project aims to bridge that gap by integrating the insights from HCBOs into the design of a video conferencing platform to support activities that serve the older adults. The study explored the utility of OneClick (OneClick 1.0, Potluck LLC, Philadelphia, PA), a video conferencing platform that is designed for older adults. Specifically, this project's objectives are to 1) identify the potential and challenges for HCBOs in providing support services with video conferencing platform; 2) evaluate the scalability of the platform in accommodating the service programs currently offered by HCBOs. For the first objective, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 4 staff members, each working at a different HCBO in Illinois that provided community-based care for older adults. For the second objective, we reviewed a wide range of programs and services provided by 12 regional HCBOs, examined whether these programs and services could be provided virtually, and which functionalities of the OneClick technology could support the provision of virtual services.
Findings from the needs assessment interview indicate OneClick's potential for enhancing social interaction and scalability for HCBOs due to its flexibility, HIPAA compliance, and user-friendly interface. However, HCBOs also identified barriers for older adults, including hesitancy to learn new platforms, reduced uptake if initial usage is problematic, and potential issues with the browser-based system, especially among older adults with memory concerns. They suggested that providing user-friendly training materials could help overcome adoption barriers, especially for older adults new to such technologies.
Furthermore, our review of regional HCBOs programs and services indicated that the current functionalities of OneClick are well suited to support the provision of services that are already being offered. The platform’s "rooms mode" feature, which enables the generation of private and personal room link to start hosting meetings with just one click, is ideal for services such as telehealth appointments and consultations. The "events mode" feature, enables HCBOs to host and facilitate group educational programs and social events. Moreover, the platform's "breakout rooms" further supports the small group discussions within an event, and the RSVP page can be used for better event participation management.
Major Takeaways:
1. HCBOs offer a unique and invaluable perspective on the needs of older adults. Engaging these organizations in development of technology is vital as they have an in-depth understanding of the needs and preferences of the older adults they serve.
2. Video-conferencing platform as OneClick, when tailored with the insights from HCBOs, can be a scalable solution to enhance social engagement for older adults and provide functionalities that align with the programs and services HCBOs offer.
References
Bixter, M. T., Blocker, K. A., & Rogers, W. A. (2018). Enhancing social engagement of older adults through technology. In R. Pak & A. C. McLaughlin (Eds.), Aging, technology and health (pp. 179–214). Elsevier Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811272-4.00008-7
Eshkoor, S. A., Hamid, T. A., Mun, C. Y., & Ng, C. K. (2015). Mild cognitive impairment and its management in older people. Clinical interventions in aging, 10, 687–693. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S73922
Geda Y. E. (2012). Mild cognitive impairment in older adults. Current psychiatry reports, 14(4), 320–327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0291-x
Hughes, T. F., Flatt, J. D., Fu, B., Chang, C. C., & Ganguli, M. (2013). Engagement in social activities and progression from mild to severe cognitive impairment: the MYHAT study. International psychogeriatrics, 25(4), 587–595. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610212002086
Lydon, E. A., Nguyen, L. T., Nie, Q., Rogers, W. A., & Mudar, R. A. (2022). An Integrative Framework to Guide Social Engagement Interventions and Technology Design for Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Frontiers in public health, 9, 750340. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.750340
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Committee on the Health and Medical Dimensions of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults. (2020). Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. National Academies Press (US).
Siegler, E. L., Lama, S. D., Knight, M. G., Laureano, E., & Reid, M. C. (2015). Community-Based Supports and Services for Older Adults: A Primer for Clinicians. Journal of geriatrics, 2015, 678625. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/678625
Event Type
Poster Presentation
TimeTuesday, March 264:45pm - 6:15pm CDT
LocationSalon C
Digital Health
Simulation and Education
Hospital Environments
Medical and Drug Delivery Devices
Patient Safety Research and Initiatives