Technology for Remote Health Monitoring in an Older Population: A Role for Mobile Devices

The impact of an aging population on healthcare and the sustainability of our health care system are pressing issues in contemporary society. Technology has the potential to address these challenges, alleviating pressures on the healthcare system and empowering individuals to have greater control over monitoring their own health. Importantly, mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets can allow older adults to have “on the go” access to health-related information.This paper explores mobile health apps that enable older adults and those who care for them to track health-related factors such as body readings and medication adherence, and it serves as a review of the literature on the usability and acceptance of mobile health apps in an older population

Barriers and Facilitators to Arts Participation in Older Adults

Despite a growing literature showcasing the benefits of arts participation for older adults, data on potential barriers to participation are limited. A survey was developed to assess key facilitators and barriers to participation in the arts in Canadian older adults. One hundred and ninety-four residents of Ontario, Canada aged 55 years+ completed the survey. Almost half of the participants (45%) were participating in the arts, with the most common activities in the domains of visual arts and dance. Barriers to participation included lack of interest in available programs, cost, and not wanting to participate alone. Facilitators to participation included a wider variety of offerings that were either low cost or free, and improved accessibility to activities. Numerous strategies including lower costs, improved transit access, virtual onboarding, and forming a buddy system could further improve participation levels and encourage more older adults to capitalize on the numerous potential health benefits of the arts

Arts Participation in Canadian Older Adults During COVID-19

Arts participation can be incredibly beneficial for the health and well-being of older adults. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many arts organizations were unable to provide in-person activities, and moved to alternate forms of program delivery. We examined whether and how Canadian older adults continued participating in the arts during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A 28-item survey was completed by 141 individuals (M = 70.5 years, range = 55-94, 66% female). Although the majority of respondents (70%) were engaging in the arts during the first wave of the pandemic, their engagement had declined compared to pre-pandemic times. More than half the respondents indicated that participating in the arts during the pandemic benefitted their well-being. These data support a model of care in which arts engagement can be viewed as an innovative and accessible health promotion strategy for older Canadians, during the pandemic and beyond

Concerts in Care Ontario: Evaluation of Performances, May-June 2021

Background: Concerts in Care Ontario (CiCO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing older adults with access to musical performances. During COVID-19, CiCO has transitioned to an online delivery of their programming, using Zoom to reach older adults living independently and in congregate care settings. This project explores the potential benefits of virtual CiCO performances for older adults and their care partners, with a focus on specific pandemic-related concerns for the older adult population, including mood and social connection. Method: Data were collected in a variety of ways: 1) through observation of CiCO performances (n = 13), 2) a questionnaire (n = 59 senior participants and n = 3 staff), and 3) interviews and standardized evaluation forms from staff (n = 6). Results: Satisfaction with the performances was very high, with 100% of participants reporting benefits for their well-being. Participants indicated feeling more relaxed and connected, and that they appreciated the educational/learning aspect of the performance structure. Participants were observed to react in positive ways to the performances, including outward displays of appreciation for and curiosity with the music, performers, and instruments. Staff indicated that the performances were extremely positive for the older adults in their care and had a secondary benefit for the well-being of staff within the congregate care settings. Conclusions: Virtual delivery of Concerts in Care Ontario programming was very successful, with both the older adults and the staff who attended (via Zoom) the concerts responding positively to the experience. Future exploration of a hybrid model of performance delivery post the COVID-19 pandemic may help even more Ontario older adults access the healing power of music

Crochet Connections: An Intergenerational Fibre Craft Project

Crochet Connections: An Intergenerational Fibre Craft Project was a research study that brought together Sheridan students and older adults from the community to participate in a crochet group. The research team examined whether an intergenerational group, organized as an activity-based program, could positively benefit participant well-being. This report outlines results from an eight-week crochet program implemented in Fall 2022 at Sheridan College’s Davis Campus in Brampton, Ontario. As an outcome of the crochet group, seven handmade blankest were donated to charity. The study was approved by Sheridan’s Research Ethics Board and funded by a 2022 Sheridan Generator Growth Grant

Movement Matters: Results of an Introductory Dance Project at the Village of Humber Heights - Report Series # 16

Recent surveys suggest that, although they seem to understand its value and importance (Ory et al., 2003), less than a quarter of all older adults get the recommended amount of exercise (Statistics Canada, 2005). It is possible that the majority of exercise programs currently available are traditional and gym-based, offering limited ways of encouraging active engagement that may not be appealing to many older adults. In recent years, the benefits of dance programs that incorporate flexibility and balance training have been explored. The current pilot project examined the potential for dance training to be considered an innovative health promotion strategy, one that encourages healthy aging and helps to maintain functional autonomy. Older adults from the Village of Humber Heights participated in 12 weeks of ballet and contemporary dance training. Pre- and post-dance training physical (flexibility, agility, muscular endurance and balance) measures were gathered. In addition, participants were invited to write in a journal for the duration of the dance training; this allowed the researchers to identify potential internal and external barriers to inclusion in physical activity (e.g., self limiting beliefs, stereotypes and/or lack of opportunity)

Hearing and Vision Screening Tools for Long-Term Care Residents with Dementia: Protocol for a Scoping Review

Introduction: Hearing and vision loss among longterm care (LTC) residents with dementia frequently goes unnoticed and untreated. Despite negative consequences for these residents, there is little information available about their sensory abilities and care assessments and practices seldom take these abilities or accessibility needs into account. Without adequate knowledge regarding such sensory loss, it is difficult for LTC staff to determine the level of an individual’s residual basic competence for communication and independent functioning. We will conduct a scoping review to identify the screening measures used in research and clinical contexts that test hearing and vision in adults aged over 65 years with dementia, aiming to: (1) provide an overview of hearing and vision screening in older adults with dementia; and (2) evaluate the sensibility of the screening tools. Methods and analysis: This scoping review will be conducted using the framework by Arksey and O’Malley and furthered by methodological enhancements from cited researchers. We will conduct electronic database searches in CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO. We will also carry out a ‘grey literature’ search for studies or materials not formally published, both online and through interview discussions with healthcare professionals and research clinicians working in the field. Our aim is to find new and existing hearing and vision screening measures used in research and by clinical professionals of optometry and audiology. Abstracts will be independently reviewed twice for acceptance by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and research clinicians. Ethics and dissemination: This review will inform health professionals working with this growing population. With the review findings, we aim to develop a toolkit and an algorithmic process to select the most appropriate hearing and vision screening assessments for LTC residents with dementia that will facilitate accurate testing and can inform care planning, thereby improving residents’ quality of life

Putting Food on The Table Project Toolkit

A toolkit to help community groups and members understand and address the food security needs of older adults in their community.https://source.sheridancollege.ca/centres_elder_food_toolkit/1000/thumbnail.jp

Virtual Reality and Well-Being in Older Adults: Results from a Pilot Implementation of Virtual Reality in Long-Term Care

This paper describes the findings of a pilot implementation project that explored the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology in recreational programming to support the well-being of older adults in long-term care (LTC) homes

Implementation of a Virtual Reality Recreation Program in Long-term Care

Introduction: This manuscript describes the implementation of a Virtual Reality (VR) recreation program at long-term care sites across Ontario, Canada, using the RE-AIM Framework to guide the implementation and its evaluation. Methods: We developed a VR recreation program to enhance the lives of long-term care residents, through 3 sequential phases. In Phase 1, we learned about resident and staff needs through focus groups, staff surveys and observations. In Phase 2, we developed 10 VR experiences, based on the data from Phase 1. In Phase 3, we implemented the VR experiences and supporting manual and measured their implementation, using the RE-AIM Framework. Results: We found the VR program to be highly (but not consistently) implementable across all sites. Factors that supported implementation were the following: resident interest in the content and technology, relative ease of use for staff to implement and formally integrating VR into the recreation calendar. Factors that impeded implementation were the following: the size of the headset, inability for the headset to cast given the sites’ Information Technology infrastructure and some content that was not engaging. Conclusions: VR programs are highly implementable and this implementation is enhanced by integration of the program into existing recreational systems, ease of use and resident engagement