Background People living with dementia rely on informal support that may be especially vulnerable to social restrictions such as those imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective To assess whether family and friends supporting adults with dementia were more likely to discontinue assistance during the pandemic than those supporting adults with other chronic conditions. Methods Using nationally representative data from 2,037 U.S. current caregivers reporting on 7,742 supporters within their care networks, multilevel logistic regression identified factors associated with discontinued support. Results Ten percent of supporters withdrew help. Those assisting care recipients with dementia had higher odds of withdrawal (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.02–1.92). Supporters who were friends or distant relatives of the caregiver were more likely to withdraw than those who were close family, while strongly connected or dual-role supporters were less likely to withdraw (OR = 0.07, 95% CI 0.05–0.10). Higher caregiver income buffered against loss.
BackgroundCOVID-19 closures of South Korean senior welfare centers isolated older adults. We developed and evaluated "WELSH," an age-friendly, institution-linked mobile app, using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) framework.MethodsFollowing needs assessments, WELSH was implemented across five Seoul centers. During a 2-week pilot, 376 older adults completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires evaluating usability, digital literacy, and psychosocial indicators (social support, loneliness, depression).ResultsParticipants positively rated WELSH's usability (M = 2.95/4), particularly for accessing center-linked information. Digital literacy scores significantly increased (p < .001). Psychosocial indicators showed no statistically significant changes during this brief timeframe.ConclusionsWELSH successfully maintained institutional connectivity and enhanced short-term digital competence. Practical Implications: This ADDIE-guided process provides a replicable framework for community centers to design age-friendly digital services, ensuring care continuity during crises.
Background eHealth literacy may support preventive action but interacts with broader gerontological and structural factors. Objective This study examined whether eHealth literacy mediated associations between educational attainment, perceived physical and psychological health, and cancer-screening behaviors among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. Methods A convenience sample of 150 adults aged ≥65 years was recruited from six community health care centers. eHealth literacy was assessed using the Traditional Chinese eHEALS, and mediation was tested using PROCESS Model 4. Results Higher education (B = 0.87, p < .001) and younger age (r = −.36, p < .001) were associated with higher eHealth literacy. However, none of the indirect associations between education, physical health, or psychological health and cancer screening through eHealth literacy was statistically significant. Conclusions: eHealth literacy reflects digital inequality but did not independently explain cancer-screening engagement in this sample, highlighting the importance of structural and clinical factors.
Background Neighborhood satisfaction is a key indicator of well-being and community quality of life, yet its relationship with third place engagement remains underexplored. Objective This study examines how third place engagement, access, and perceived built environments relate to physical livability, social connectedness, and overall neighborhood satisfaction among older adults. Methods Survey data were collected from 515 adults aged 65 and older in the Orlando area, and separate Ordinary Least Squares regression models were used. Results The results indicate that neighborhood satisfaction is multidimensional, with shared yet distinct correlates across domains. Third place engagement and walkable access were consistently associated with all three outcomes. Socially oriented third place use was more closely tied to social connectedness, while built environment quality aligned with physical livability. Overall satisfaction reflected both domains, highlighting the value of viewing neighborhood satisfaction as related but distinct constructs shaped by functional and social experiences among older adults.
Relocation is an option for older adults who leave their home to improve their emotional well-being, physical health, and safety. Moves can enhance agency or foster a loss of empowerment. We explored older adults’ transition experiences from a community setting to a retirement community and created messaging to help with experiences of older adults and their self-identified family or friend caregivers. We conducted 30 telephone interviews and analyzed relocation experiences, which informed I Did It My Way Theatre. The theatrical presentation was performed for over 100 older adult residents and caregivers. Our goal was to ease the transition experiences by disseminating findings to those involved in similar relocation situations. Attendees completed a post-performance questionnaire asking how the play helped them understand relocation and held table discussions concerning production themes. Follow-up interviews with 11 participants revealed that the play delivered hard messages in an impactful way.
