Reducing Loneliness Isolation Among Older -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Questions: Can Computer Usage Prevent Social Isolation And Loneliness Among The Elderly? Can Internet Use Alleviate Loneliness Among Older Adults? Answers: Introduction Loneliness is considered as serious mental health disorders that exist across the wide spectrum of aged care and residential care facilities. Loneliness has been portrayed as an essential part of human existence in the Bible as well as the Greek mythology. In recent years, isolation has become a part of the ageing experience. Increased geographical and social mobility, reduced intergenerational living and increase in number of one person households adds to the loneliness (Perissinotto, Cenzer Covinsky, 2012). This health concern is often associated with stigma and stereotypes related to personal failure that makes older adults feel ignored or not accepted. A study conducted in the year 2013 suggested that more than half residents at an aged care home experienced loneliness (55% of 296 residents) (Victor Bowling, 2012). Manifestation of these feelings are also correlated with the development of several health disorders such as, depression, cardiovascular diseases, increased falls in elderly and recurrent hospitalizations to the emergency department. Such older residents who demonstrate depression and loneliness are more susceptible to exhibit agitation and aggressive behaviour and are found to engage in conflicts with the staff frequently (Steptoe, Shankar, Demakakos Wardle, 2013). This research proposal will focus on interventions to effectively reduce loneliness among elderly people living in residential homes. The purpose of the research proposal is to investigate the effectiveness of internet interventions and computer training in reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults living in a residential care centre. The hypothesis Computer proficiency and internet engagement will reduce loneliness among older adults and will create a positive effect on the quality of life. Literature review Several electronic databases such as, CINAHL and MEDLINE were extensively searched to extract peer reviewed articles published in English, not prior to 2012. Several key search terms and boolean operators helped in locating multiple articles that evaluated the effects of information technology and internet use in reducing loneliness in the elderly. The systematic review conducted by Chen and Schulz (2016) explores the effects of information and communication technologies on prevention of social isolation in elderly people. Inclusion of 25 publications after a thorough search of electronic databases provides evidences that suggest that ICT interventions are effective in reducing perceived social isolation among the elderly. Most studies included in the review demonstrate a positive correlation of computer usage and internet with lowered social isolation. Similar findings are demonstrated by a randomized controlled trial that examines the effect of internet on loneliness and social isolation in independent and assisted older living communities. Randomisation of older adults into three groups namely, the ICT treatment, true control and attention control is followed by 8 weeks of computer and internet training for communicating with friends and family in the sample group. Measurement of the socioemotional outcomes over a period of 1 year demonstrated that ICT makes it easier for them to communicate, reduces feelings of loneliness and makes them feel more connected to family and friends (Cotten, Anderson McCullough, 2013). The quasi-experimental study conducted by BlaÃ… ¾un, Saranto and Rissanen (2012) evaluates the self-reported amount of loneliness among older people in Slovenia and Finland and suggests a statistically significant difference in loneliness reduction between the countries among people who complete the ICT course. The effects of computer proficiency and engagement in alleviating levels of loneliness are therefore established. On examining the impacts of internet usage in depression among the elderly, Cotten, Ford, Ford and Hale (2012) suggest that internet makes a positive contribution on the mental wellbeing of retired older persons (50 years) and also reduces depression by an approximate rate of 20-28%. This is also supported by results of a study that tests social support and loneliness as potential mediators for modifying relationship between well-being and internet usage. Data analysis indicates that internet use is a significant predictor of reduced loneliness, enhanced life satisfaction and increased social support (Heo, Chun, Lee, Lee Kim, 2015). Another meta-analysis also suggests the effectiveness of internet interventions in reducing loneliness among the elderly. It emphasized on the role of the intervention in reinforcing social support, thereby improving communication and eliminating loneliness (Choi, Kong Jung, 2012). Significance of the research The research proposal aims at investigating the implications of teaching older adults the usage of internet and computer skills. Several debates exist on determining whether use of the internet decreases or increases social isolation among older people. Although multiple trials have been carried out to show the benefits of internet usage on reducing loneliness and isolation among the elderly, as shown in the literature review, there exist some studies that find computer training and internet of little or negligible benefit (Yao Zhong, 2014). Hence, this research might serve as an important source of reference for other researchers, students and data analysts who intend to apply the intervention in improving their overall wellbeing and mental health. Practical outcomes The research is based on the assumption that increasing the computer proficiency and internet literacy among older adults will help in improving loneliness experienced at residential care and aged care homes. Implementing appropriate interventions related to internet usage will increase their social connectivity and communication with family and friends. The usage of internet will also enrich the lives of the isolated elderly. Significance to the field Effects of loneliness on mortality are greater than other established risk factors such as, sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Thus, the research will play an important role in reducing mortality rates. Proposed Research Methodology The study will recruit 80 older people (regardless of their gender) from 3 aged care and residential homes across the city. The participants belonging to the age group of 65-85 years will be selected. Inclusion criteria will include a minimum of 11 years of education and should have been retired for 5 years on an average. Residents suffering from cognitive and severe mental decline will not be included in the study to prevent inaccurate results. There will be no differentiation based on race or gender. Sampling method 80 participants will be randomized to two groups namely, the sample group (receiving the intervention) and the rest to the control group (without access to the internet). Randomization will result in an unbiased assessment of the effects of the proposed intervention on the equal number of participants among the 2 groups (Treweek et al., 2013). Methodology The research will encompass a quantitative analysis where the participants will be made to undergo a survey by providing numbers on a likert scale for demonstrating their feelings and satisfaction score. This will help in obtaining real data and will assist in monitoring the success of the intervention. Design framework The study will be based on an experimental design where the predictor variable (internet usage) can be manipulated to identify the cause-and-effect relationship. The research will involve an experimental group that will be subjected to the intervention and a placebo group that will exist in inert or non-manipulative conditions (Furtak, Seidel, Iverson Briggs, 2012). Data collection Participants from both the groups will be subjected to completion of surveys, for 5 times over a year. One survey will be carried out before the intervention begins, another at the end of the 8-weeks of internet usage and the remaining three at the end of 4, 7 and 12 months after the intervention. The UCLA Loneliness Scale will be provided to the participants to measure their feelings on lack of companionship, being left out and isolated from friends and family (Neto, 2014). A 3-point likert scale will be used for measuring their responses (ranging from 1-5). The scale measure will be based on mean of the scores. The Mann-Whitney U test will be used for statistically evaluating the responses of the participants. It will help in determining if the levels of loneliness differed based on the amount of internet usage by the older participants (Fagerland, 2012). Ethical considerations Prior consent shall be taken from the administrators of the residential facilities from which the participants will be selected. The older residents shall be informed about the objectives of the study and their consent will be taken before randomization. Breadth of the research The proposed research will only investigate the effects of internet usage on perceptions of loneliness and social isolation among the older adults living in residential settings, rather than their own house. The study will not evaluate the effects of the proposed intervention on prevalence of depression, suicidal ideations or mood disorders in the target population. Older residents identified suffering from severe physical disability such as paralysis, and mental disorders such as, dementia and schizophrenia will not be included in the study. Limitations of the research Limitations of the proposed study include the presence of small sample size and lack of access to internet in most households (Bacchetti, 2013). The latter contributes to the limited computer literacy and proficiency among the older adults. Thus, an extensive training was required for most of the participants. Potential problems Communicating with older adults living in the residential care facilities may create difficulties owing to the fact that they are often scared to communicate to unknown people and may fail to understand the implications of the research intervention on their lifestyle and wellbeing. There may be loss of potential number of participants at the end of the study due to health complications and death, thereby giving misleading results References Bacchetti, P. (2013). Small sample size is not the real problem.Nature Reviews Neuroscience,14(8), 585-585. doi:10.1038/nrn3475-c3 BlaÃ… ¾un, H., Saranto, K., Rissanen, S. (2012). Impact of computer training courses on reduction of loneliness of older people in Finland and Slovenia.Computers in Human Behavior,28(4), 1202-1212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.02.004 Chen, Y. R. R., Schulz, P. J. (2016). The effect of information communication technology interventions on reducing social isolation in the elderly: A systematic review.Journal of medical Internet research,18(1), e18. doi:10.2196/jmir.4596 Choi, M., Kong, S., Jung, D. (2012). Computer and internet interventions for loneliness and depression in older adults: a meta-analysis.Healthcare informatics research,18(3), 191-198. https://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2012.18.3.191 Cotten, S. R., Anderson, W. A., McCullough, B. M. (2013). 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