Social connections and participation among people with mild cognitive impairment: barriers and recommendations

ObjectiveSocial connections and participation are essential for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to prevent the progression of cognitive decline and enhance their overall well-being. However, existing research has primarily focused on environmental barriers, overlooking personal factors and the interconnected nature of these barriers. Moreover, there is a lack of understanding regarding social connections and participation challenges specific to people with MCI in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the barriers that hinder social connections and participation among people with MCI in China and investigate opportunities to design appropriate supportive interventions.MethodsThirty-one people with MCI (13 males and 18 females; mean age = 82.74 years, SD = 7.69; mean MoCA score = 21.26, SD = 2.44) and 13 caregivers were recruited to attend focus groups. In addition, 10 therapists were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a framework analysis approach.ResultsWe found that the ability to build social connections among people with MCI is affected by mobility challenges, intensive grandparenting responsibilities, availability of suitable activities, and feelings of exclusion in a closed-minded community environment. Personal reasons, such as lower social efficacy, inability to find suitable social activities, and intensive family responsibilities, discourage people with MCI from social participation. The digital literacy of people with MCI depends on their motivation to learn and use digital tools; people with MCI who live in a community have a higher digital literacy than those living in care centers. The motivation to achieve digital literacy is affected by perceived benefits, costs of technology use, and social influence.ConclusionMultidimensional initiatives are needed to address barriers to social connections, participation, and technology adoption among individuals with MCI. This includes organizing and engaging in social activities, promoting awareness and education on the importance of social participation, and exploring technology-based interventions to improve memory and storytelling abilities. These efforts can create a supportive environment and empower individuals with MCI to participate actively in social interactions, enhancing their overall well-being

The GezelschApp A Dutch mobile application to reduce social isolation and loneliness

The social isolation among older adults is a growing concern, as both social isolation and loneliness have been associated with ill health. Information communication technology can overcome the social and spatial barriers of social interaction by enabling easy affordable communication and activities of multiple form between older adults and others anytime and anywhere. Therefore, technology-supported intervention, such as the GezelschApp could prevent and ameliorate social isolation and loneliness among older adults. The aim of this paper is to introduce this new technology, to provide an overview of the current evaluation and to present the intermediate results concerning the usability of end-user acceptance of this technology. The GezelschApp is a mobile application to reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults. This application, also accessible by PC and tablet, gives older adults access to a homepage with six features (an inbox for messages, news, activities, information, tips and friends). On beforehand interested older adults are screened by a coach before they receive a personal access code. During the 3 months evaluation of the GezelschApp the usability, end-user acceptance, level of experienced loneliness and quality of life are assessed. Although the evaluation of the GezelschApp is still running, the first focus groups (n=10) with users highlight the need of the current application to make new friends in a save manner and to participate in social activities