The Use of Technology Among Persons With Memory Concerns and Their Caregivers in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study
BackgroundStay-at-home orders and other public health measures designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have increased isolation among persons with memory concerns (PWMCs: individuals diagnosed with cognitive impairment or Alzheimer disease or related dementias). The pande...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2022-03-01
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| Series: | JMIR Aging |
| Online Access: | https://aging.jmir.org/2022/1/e31552 |
| _version_ | 1797735280863608832 |
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| author | Elizabeth A Albers Jude Mikal Ashley Millenbah Jessica Finlay Eric Jutkowitz Lauren Mitchell Brenna Horn Joseph E Gaugler |
| author_facet | Elizabeth A Albers Jude Mikal Ashley Millenbah Jessica Finlay Eric Jutkowitz Lauren Mitchell Brenna Horn Joseph E Gaugler |
| author_sort | Elizabeth A Albers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundStay-at-home orders and other public health measures designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have increased isolation among persons with memory concerns (PWMCs: individuals diagnosed with cognitive impairment or Alzheimer disease or related dementias). The pandemic has also exacerbated challenges for family members who care for PWMCs. Although technology has demonstrated the potential to improve the social connections and mental health of PWMCs and their family caregivers (CGs), previous research shows that older adults may be reluctant to adopt new technologies.
ObjectiveWe aimed to understand why and how some PWMCs and their CGs altered their use of mainstream technology, such as smartphones and fitness trackers, and assistive technology to adapt to lifestyle changes (eg, increased isolation) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MethodsUsing data collected in 20 qualitative interviews from June to August 2020 with 20 PWMCs and family CG dyads, we assessed changes in and barriers to everyday technology use following the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation strategies in the United States. Zoom videoconferencing was utilized to conduct the interviews to protect the health of the participants who were primarily older adults.
ResultsUsing qualitative thematic analysis, we identified 3 themes that explained motivations for using technology during a pandemic: (1) maintaining social connections, (2) alleviating boredom, and (3) increasing CG respite. Results further revealed lingering barriers to PWMC and CG adoption of technologies, including: (1) PWMC dependence upon CGs, (2) low technological literacy, and (3) limitations of existing technology.
ConclusionsThis in-depth investigation suggests that technology can provide PWMCs with more independence and offer CGs relief from CG burden during periods of prolonged isolation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:55:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a68cacb874e04e6cac6a2432666e34bc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2561-7605 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:55:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Aging |
| spelling | doaj.art-a68cacb874e04e6cac6a2432666e34bc2023-08-28T21:05:59ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Aging2561-76052022-03-0151e3155210.2196/31552The Use of Technology Among Persons With Memory Concerns and Their Caregivers in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative StudyElizabeth A Albershttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6244-406XJude Mikalhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5394-9592Ashley Millenbahhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6033-0974Jessica Finlayhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3427-8003Eric Jutkowitzhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1735-8434Lauren Mitchellhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7900-1924Brenna Hornhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0949-5674Joseph E Gauglerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4797-485X BackgroundStay-at-home orders and other public health measures designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have increased isolation among persons with memory concerns (PWMCs: individuals diagnosed with cognitive impairment or Alzheimer disease or related dementias). The pandemic has also exacerbated challenges for family members who care for PWMCs. Although technology has demonstrated the potential to improve the social connections and mental health of PWMCs and their family caregivers (CGs), previous research shows that older adults may be reluctant to adopt new technologies. ObjectiveWe aimed to understand why and how some PWMCs and their CGs altered their use of mainstream technology, such as smartphones and fitness trackers, and assistive technology to adapt to lifestyle changes (eg, increased isolation) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsUsing data collected in 20 qualitative interviews from June to August 2020 with 20 PWMCs and family CG dyads, we assessed changes in and barriers to everyday technology use following the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation strategies in the United States. Zoom videoconferencing was utilized to conduct the interviews to protect the health of the participants who were primarily older adults. ResultsUsing qualitative thematic analysis, we identified 3 themes that explained motivations for using technology during a pandemic: (1) maintaining social connections, (2) alleviating boredom, and (3) increasing CG respite. Results further revealed lingering barriers to PWMC and CG adoption of technologies, including: (1) PWMC dependence upon CGs, (2) low technological literacy, and (3) limitations of existing technology. ConclusionsThis in-depth investigation suggests that technology can provide PWMCs with more independence and offer CGs relief from CG burden during periods of prolonged isolation.https://aging.jmir.org/2022/1/e31552 |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth A Albers Jude Mikal Ashley Millenbah Jessica Finlay Eric Jutkowitz Lauren Mitchell Brenna Horn Joseph E Gaugler The Use of Technology Among Persons With Memory Concerns and Their Caregivers in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study JMIR Aging |
| title | The Use of Technology Among Persons With Memory Concerns and Their Caregivers in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study |
| title_full | The Use of Technology Among Persons With Memory Concerns and Their Caregivers in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | The Use of Technology Among Persons With Memory Concerns and Their Caregivers in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Use of Technology Among Persons With Memory Concerns and Their Caregivers in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study |
| title_short | The Use of Technology Among Persons With Memory Concerns and Their Caregivers in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | use of technology among persons with memory concerns and their caregivers in the united states during the covid 19 pandemic qualitative study |
| url | https://aging.jmir.org/2022/1/e31552 |
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