Although technology offers great potential for enhancing the health and well-being of older adults, robust studies are needed to quantify the value of technology and further the investigators understanding of barriers to technology access among older adults and of strategies that are effective in removing these barriers. This cross-site randomized field trial will evaluate a simple to use Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System (PRISM) designed to support social connectivity, memory, skill building and resource access for older adults. The PRISM system (PRISM C condition) will be compared to an notebook information control condition (PRISM B condition). The target population is older adults who live at home alone and are at risk for isolation. The goal of the study is to gather systematic evidence about the value of technology for older adults and to identify factors that affect use and usability, acceptance and technology adoption. The investigators will also gather longitudinal data on the benefits of the system. Participants aged 65 - 85 years (100 per site) will be randomly assigned following baseline assessment to one of two conditions: PRISM C condition where participants receive the technology system or the PRISM B condition only control where participants receive a notebook that includes information similar to that provided in PRISM C (e.g., resource guide). The categories of information provided in the notebook is similar to the features provided on the system. Participants will include males and females who do not have a home computer and who have limited Internet experience. The intervention period is 12 months. A battery of measures that includes demographic information, attitudes towards technology (including computer self-efficacy and computer comfort), technology, computer and Internet experience, functional independence and well-being, emotional well-being social support/isolation, and quality of life will be administered at baseline, and 6 and 12 months post randomization. In addition, the investigators will assess cognitive abilities at baseline and twelve months. The investigators will also gather data regarding technology use and social interactions via a brief telephone interview at 18 months post randomization.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
300
A specialized computer system designed to support social connectivity and access to resources; knowledge and prospective memory
Telephone check-in calls and a notebook that contains information about community resources, games; topics of interests to seniors; a calendar and contact list.
University of Miami
Miami, Florida, United States
Change in Social Isolation Measured by Friendship Scale
Measures the level of social isolation from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Lower score means less social isolation. Range (0-24) .
Time frame: Baseline and 6th month
Change in Level of Social Support Measured by Social Support Scale
Measures the level of social support from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score means more social support. Range (6-36).
Time frame: Baseline and 6th month
Change Overall Well-being Measured by SF-36 Overall Well-being Subscale
Use the SF-36 scale to measure the overall well-being from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score indicates more peaceful, happy, and calm. Range (0-100)
Time frame: Baseline and 6th month
Change in Social Isolation Measured by Friendship Scale
Measures the level of social isolation from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Lower score means less social isolation. Range (0-24) .
Time frame: Baseline and 12th month
Change in Level of Social Support Measured by Social Support Scale
Measures the level of social support from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more social support. Range (6-36).
Time frame: Baseline and 12th month
Change Overall Well-being Measured by SF-36 Overall Well-being Subscale
Use the SF-36 to measure the overall well-being from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more peaceful, happy and calm. Range (0-100).
Time frame: Baseline and 12th month
Change in Computer Comfort Measured by Computer Attitude - Comfort Subscale .
Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer comfort from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score means more computer comfort. Range (5-25).
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Changes in Technology Proficiency Measured by Technology Proficiency Scale
Measures the level of technology proficiency from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher scores means more computer proficiency. Range (6-30)
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change in Technology Adoption Measured by Technology Acceptance Questionnaire
Measure the level of technology adoption from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score means more acceptance. Range (6-42)
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change in Computer Comfort Measured by Computer Attitude - Comfort Subscale .
Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer comfort from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more computer comfort. Range (5-25)
Time frame: baseline and 12 months
Changes in Technology Proficiency Measured by Technology Proficiency Scale
Measures the level of technology proficiency from baseline to 12th month follow-up. A higher score means more computer proficiency. Range (6-30)
Time frame: baseline and 12 months
Change in Technology Adoption Measured by Technology Acceptance Questionnaire
Measures the level of technology adoption from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more acceptance. Range (6-42)
Time frame: baseline and 12 months
Change in Computer Interest Measured by Computer Attitude - Interest Subscale
Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer interest from baseline to 6th month follow-up. Higher score means more interest towards computer. Range (5-25)
Time frame: Baseline and 6th month follow-up
Change in Computer Interest Measured by Computer Attitude - Interest Subscale
Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer interest from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more interest towards computer. Range (5-25)
Time frame: Baseline and 12th month follow-up
Change in Computer Efficacy Measured by Computer Attitude - Efficacy Subscale
Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer efficacy from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more efficacy towards computer. Range (5-25)
Time frame: Baseline and 6th month follow-up
Change in Computer Efficacy Measured by Computer Attitude - Efficacy Subscale
Use the computer attitude scale to measure the level of computer efficacy from baseline to 12th month follow-up. Higher score means more efficacy towards computer. Range (5-25)
Time frame: Baseline and 12th month follow-up
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