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Gerontechnology Research: Opportunity in a Rapidly Growing Field

Gerontechnology Research: Opportunity in a Rapidly Growing Field. Barbara A. Thomas, RN, MA, MS, FNP Westchester Community College, NY Division of Natural and Health Science Associate Professor, Nursing.

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Gerontechnology Research: Opportunity in a Rapidly Growing Field

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  1. Gerontechnology Research: Opportunity in a Rapidly Growing Field Barbara A. Thomas, RN, MA, MS, FNPWestchester Community College, NY Division of Natural and Health Science Associate Professor, Nursing Jean F. Coppola, BS, MS, MS, PhD Pace University, NY Seidenberg School of Computer Science& Information Systems Associate Professor, Information Technology Lin J. Drury, PhD, RNPace University, NY Lienhard School of Nursing Associate Professor, Nursing Sharon Stahl Wexler, PhD, RN, BCPace University, NY Lienhard School of Nursing Assistant Professor, Nursing Colette Phipps, LMSW Westchester County , NY Department of Senior Programs & Services Deputy Executive Director, Livable Communities Director, Westchester Alliance Academic Institutions for Aging Related Studies and Workforce Development Janna Heyman, MSW, PhD Fordham University, NY Associate Director, Ravazzin Center on Aging Associate Professor

  2. Gerontechnology • Terminology: => Gerontechnology or Gerotechnology • Study of technology for the improvement of daily functions of the elderly • Coined by Jan Graafmans of Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands in 1989 • First book devoted to the new field was published in 1992 2

  3. Intergenerational Computing • Course that: • Engages Students in Service-Learning • Develops Appreciation & Understanding the Process of Aging & its Limitations • Entices Older Adults with Technology to Ultimately Improve their Quality of Life • Gerontechnology

  4. Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks “Intergenerational Computing”

  5. Comunicación y Gerencia The literature says:

  6. The literature says: Comunicación y Gerencia Older Adults who use technology More positive outlook on life Greater Sense of Emotional Well Being & Self Worth Increased Cognitive Functioning Decreased Levels of Depression Reduced Isolation by Offering a Means of Social Interaction and Mental Stimulation David C. Burdick & Sunkyo Kwon, Gerotechnology, Springer 2004

  7. The Power of Technology in Aging As you have aged, list the physical changes that are beginning to hinder your use of technology, i.e., computer, PDAs, digital media devices, etc. Be honest - just write your age down!  What do you fear the most about the aging process?

  8. My Second Home, Intergenerational Adult Day Care Center - March 2005 • TV Clip – March 6, 2006 • “Take Your Grandparents to Work Day – in Reverse” Partnered with IBM & Local County Government Office of Senior Programs & Services • Kept in touch with Reps Background:

  9. Intergenerational Computing !!!

  10. Intergenerational Computing!

  11. Beginning Collaborations : • Contact Government Office of Aging • Westchester County Department of Senior Programs & Services • Medicare Part D • Pre-White House Conference on Aging • By 2020, persons aged 60+ are expected to comprise 22% of the population • Solicited Potential Research Partners • United Hebrew Geriatric Center (UHGC), New Rochelle, NY • Network, Network, Network in your community!

  12. Initial Partnership : • United Hebrew Geriatric Center (UHGC), New Rochelle, NY • Initial Meeting October 2005 • Consortium Formed • Planning Sessions • Milestones Set • Service-Learning / Civic Engagement Course Developed & Approved • Pilot January 2006

  13. Older Adult Population • Continuing Care Retirement Communities • Independent Living Sr Apartments • Assisted Living • Skilled Nursing Home & Rehab Center

  14. Team Assets & Resources : • Pace University • Faculty • Curriculum Development • Service-Learning Students • Student Supervision • Lab Setups & Donation Assistance • Westchester.gov Sr. Progs • Alliance for Aging • SPEAKUP • Contacts! Network! • Community Partner • Space for Computers • Internet Access • Staff / Nurse Participation & Supervision • Enthusiastic Residents • WestchesterCommunity College • Nursing Faculty • Computer Club Support

  15. Support, Budget & Donations • All constituents had Top Level Administration Support • Support by entire health care team • Project Budget was $ 0 !! • Solicited Community for Computer Donations

  16. EquipmentDonations ….

  17. Donations... PCs, Printers, Hubs Mice, Speakers, Mouse Pads iPods, Network Cards, Ink

  18. Donations: • Solicited Computer Donations • Surprises & Networking • Met with Apple • Podcasting Seminar • Civic Association – Consulting Firms • Pace University, NY • Westchester PC User Group • Alumni, Students & Parents & Faculty Donations

  19. Grants : • Westchester Community Foundation $10K, $15K • IBM Adaptation Technology $35K • Fuji Film (10 cameras) • Pace Internal School Grant Support • Eugene M. Lang Student-Faculty Research Fellowship • Kenan Scholarly Research Grant • Isabel Brabazon Award for Intergenerational Evaluation & Research $5K

  20. CIS102T Intergenerational Computing • Interdisciplinary Course Pilot S06 (23 students) • Students Taught Process of Aging / Social Gerontology, Technology in Action & Values of Service-Learning • Intense 5 weeks of training now 7 weeks w 1+hr 1-1 Training • Team Assignments & Role Playing • Orientation • Team Leaders & Troubleshooter • Unexpected bonds

  21. Aging Simulation • Visually Impaired • Glaucoma (Squares) • Cataracts (Vaseline/Toothpaste) • Macular Degeneration (Dots) • Motor Skills • Arthritis in the Fingers • (Masking Tape) • Arthritis in the Feet • (Stones / Popcorn Kernels in shoes) • Poor Muscle Tone • Hearing Impaired • (Cotton Balls)

  22. Simulated Visual Impairments • Detached Retina • Glaucoma • Cataracts • Heminopsia • Macular Degeneration • Retinopathy

  23. Role Playing • Tape 2-3 fingers on each hand with masking tape • Insert cotton ball in each ear • Wear a pair of simulation glasses • Try typing on the keyboard • Dial a number on cell phone • Teach each other the computer; repeat instructions as many times as necessary changing volume & closing eyes

  24. Student Orientation at UHGC

  25. Orientation & Student Preparation : • Students Self-Selected to Enroll in CIS102T Intergenerational Computing Course • Students Self-Selected to one of 3 Facilities for Duration of Semester • Students / Seniors completed different Pre-& Post-surveys

  26. Student Coursework : • Team Leaders • Chief Troubleshooter • Manuals • 5 Weeks of Introduction & Didactic Geriatric Content

  27. Older Adult Surveys & Cognitive Assessment Instruments

  28. Student Instruments: • Search for Validated Instruments • Student Pre and Post Surveys Self- Perception AttitudeTowards Older Adults • Student Pre and Post Surveys Self- Perception AdvocacyFor Older Adults • Student Self-Perception Knowledge of Technology Survey

  29. Instruments: • Older Adult MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) http://www.mocatest.org/ http://www.mocatest.org/pdf_files/MOCA-Test-English.pdf • Experiences & Attitudes towards Aging Questionaire (EAAQ) - Laidlaw • Older Adult Pre and Post Self-Perception Computer Anxiety & Assistive Technology Survey • Demographic data collection tool

  30. Methods • One-group pretest/posttest design (N=165) • Measures • Attitudes towards older persons • Coursework in aging • Personal experiences with older adults • Interest in advocating for aging issues • Stimulating students to be involved in aging issues

  31. Students’ Coursework and Volunteer Experience Coursework No previous coursework 93.4% Previous coursework 6.6% Previous volunteer experience with older adults Previous volunteer experience 34.5% No Previous volunteer experience 61.8%

  32. Students’ Interest in Advocating for Older Persons with Specific Action * Higher scores indicate more positive interest. Mean scores increased between pre and posttest, with statistical differences in 2 specific action areas

  33. Profile of Student Participants (N=165)

  34. Students’ Attitudes towards Older Persons Attitude scores could range from 0 to 27 Mean SD Attitude Scores at Pretest 19.22 3.0 Attitude Scores at Posttest 19.61 3.2 Scores were slightly higher at posttest, but not statistically significant (t=-1.37, p>.05)

  35. Profile of Intervention Senior Participants (N=116) 40

  36. Improvement in Senior MOCA Scores Paired t-tests reveals a significant improvement (p<.001) in MOCA scores between pre and post test *Control Group data is being analyzed, but preliminary results suggests that the significant improvement is not a learning effect. 41

  37. Student Blogs & Reflections • “Over the seven weeks at assistant living, Lowell taught me as much as I taught him.” • “A very important observation I made was, the older adults valued their email communication more than anything else on the Internet. This could prove that as people age their values change, or they become more family oriented.… the smile on her face was worth every second of the time spent showing her how to sent the original message.”

  38. Older Adults & Technology

  39. “One [student] is just nicer than the other” • “I’ve been putting it off – I know it’s time to learn the computer!” • “Everyone [all senior citizens] Should Learn How to Use the Computer So They Won’t Be Left Behind” • Some of the older adult women were sitting in the common area when the students were toured past them.  One said loudly to the other, "Look those must be our teachers!  I guess they will be teaching these old ladies some new tricks!"    Older Adult Antidotes

  40. “Graduation” • Older Adult “diplomas” • Students certificates

  41. Lessons Learned • There is better participation and learning success when seniors have their own computer and own space. • One on one instruction imperative. • Social bonds and trust lead to success. • Prepared student teachers work best. • Seniors want to learn if the environment is right. • Graduation Ceremony something to work towards

  42. Benefits – Physical • Small motor skills appeared to improve • Practice of eye-hand coordination improved mouse skills • Those with profound hearing loss were able to enjoy use.

  43. Benefits – Social and Psychological • Seniors felt purposeful • Gave confidence – felt capable of learning • Developed new relationships with students • Avenue for connecting with family • Connect seniors to the forward moving world at large

  44. Other Facets of the Project Wii

  45. Prof. Shelley Garnet, Human Services, Westchester Community College

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