Generations “synchronize” in Florida's rural “Glades” to increase the use of technology for health

Newswise – In view of the growing role of mobile technology in the support of older adults, it is important to implement initiatives that promote their introduction in this population. However, older adults are often not familiar with mobile technology, especially in rural areas with limited digital access or literacy.

In order to close this gap, researchers of Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and employees of Florida Atlantic University have carried out a pilot study to test a program between generations in which pupils, older adults and local faith-based health educators in the “glosses”, a rural community that is in South Lake Okeobebee in South Central Florida located.

Older residents of this close -meshed community have the strong desire to maintain healthy habits that support aging. Their ability to track and monitor these habits with the help of wireless fitness devices such as fitbits and smartwatches is hindered by the limited resources of the area and the difficulties that many residents have with the literacy for mobile technology.

The impetus for the study operated by the community in this intended area was that older residents (53 to 84 years) take the technology and receive greater acceptance and use of devices for health and evaluation of everyday behavior on the health of the brain.

An ecological current evaluation (EMA) was used for the study to provide health -related surveys via a smartwatch four times a day, in which questions such as “In the last two hours, how much social contact have you had?” “How physically active were you?” And “How mentally committed were you?” In addition, paper and pencil ratings were used to check for perception, health literacy and technology competence. The researchers examined the relationships between these screening measures and the use of the smartwatch.

The results published in Journal Educational Gerontology showed that 91% of older adults were employed with the smartwatch requests with a general return rate of 77.8%. Interestingly, the response rates were not influenced by factors such as health competence, self -efficacy of technology, self -reported cognitive status, education, age or rural life. In addition, it was found that social contact is positive with physical activity, mental commitment and the perception of a “sharp mind”, which emphasizes the importance of social engagement for the health of the brain. The training process and the use of smartwatches were effective for participants with different technology and health skills.

“Our study has created a win-win situation for everyone involved: older adults gained new skills to use portable technologies to monitor their health, while students had the opportunity to learn processes for the implementation of meaningful research and to develop valuable skills,” said Lisa Ann Kirk Wiese, Ph.D. “Faith -based health educators, trustworthy personalities in their communities, were able to contribute to the well -being of those to whom they serve, which promoted a feeling of empowerment and connection over generations.”

For the study, the participants wore the smartwatch for at least two weeks and received a simultaneous ringtone and vibration for each prompt. Students of the High School (15-19 years), the participants train in how to wear the smartwatch and reacted to step-by-step guides. They helped in the setup, including charging and understanding of the immediate times and offered additional support for the follow-up visits.

Before the participants began to use the smartwatches, the health educators based on faith man managed surveys, with schoolchildren being often present. The participants also completed a short cognitive screening (Borson's Mini-Cog ©), an assessment of health competence and a socio-demographic survey during the first screening.

The students thank you for the opportunity to take part in a research initiative, and many sought further research positions or scholarships. They appreciated the opportunity to add this experience to their résumés. All participants agreed that they would probably never have used a smartwatch without the guidance of the students. Participants with more years of training expressed that wearing the smartwatch was particularly pleasant and that they were curious about their progress. More practical training was required for those with less education. Both students and older adults appreciated the time together, and the students achieved valuable skills such as teaching technology, patience and empathy. They also felt a feeling of responsibility and open -mindedness.

“Students not only teach older adults about mobile health – they also receive invaluable skills and findings themselves,” said Wiese. “Through these meaningful interactions, the students determine how technology can improve health monitoring and care and at the same time inspire to pursue careers in aging, healthcare and geron technology. You not only prepare this experience for future careers, but also promote deep appreciation for the power of digital health in your own lives. “

Due to the participatory research in the community, the team led by the FAU has worked with gatekeepers and stakeholders in the past 10 years to increase the care of older adults in this region.

Studies co-authors are Catherine Luna, Department of Psychology at Washington State University; Diane Cook, Ph.D., Regenten Professor and Huie-Rogers Chairman Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University; Bryan D. Minor, Ph.D., Associate in Research, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University; and Marueen Schmitter-Edgecompbe, Ph.D., Regenten Professor, HL Eastlick Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, Washington State University.

This research was supported by the National Institute for the Altering of the National Institutes of Health in accordance with the R35 AG071451 and the National Science Foundation in accordance with the price number 1954372.

– FAU –

About Florida Atlantic University: Florida Atlantic University, founded in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today Florida Atlantic serves more than 30,000 students and doctoral students at six locations on the Southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the university has doubled its research outputs and exceeded its colleagues in relation to the performance rates of the students. Due to the coexistence of access and excellence, Florida Atlantic embodies an innovative model in which traditional gaps in performance disappear. Florida Atlantic is designated as a Hispanic facility, which is classified by US News & World Report as a first-class public university and has the name of “R1: very high research outputs and doctoral production” through the carnegie classification of universities in university formation. Florida Atlantic shares this status with less than 5% of the almost 4,000 universities in the USA. You can find more information under Viewing www.fau.edu.