Use of technology by older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland to support health, well‐being and social inclusion during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Background: Before COVID‐19, people with intellectual disabilities were digitally excluded, facing difficulties accessing and using technology. The pandemic outbreak closed down many in‐person services and supports for this population. Methods: This study examined changes in technology use to suppor...
| Published in: | British Journal of Learning Disabilities Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 175 - 191 |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
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Wiley-Blackwell
Jun2023
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=163704547&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 163704547 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 13544187 F04 jtl: British Journal of Learning Disabilities issn: 13544187 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Jun2023 vid: 51 iid: 2 pid: 480 pub: Wiley-Blackwell place: Malden, Massachusetts artinfo: ui: 163704547 160495462 163704547 163704547 10.1111/bld.12514 163704547 ppf: 175 ppct: 16 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: C – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Use of technology by older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland to support health, well‐being and social inclusion during the COVID‐19 pandemic. aug: au: McCausland, Darren McCarron, Mary McCallion, Philip affil: Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland sug: subj: Intellectual Disability In Old Age Health Status In Old Age Psychological Well-Being In Old Age Social Inclusion In Old Age Support, Psychosocial In Old Age Technology COVID-19 Pandemic Behavioral Changes In Old Age Patient Attitudes In Old Age Human Aged Ireland Persons with Disabilities Health Care Delivery Online Social Networking Interpersonal Relations Decision Trees Health Resource Utilization Internet Access Digital Technology Life Experiences Funding Source Aged: 65+ years ab: Background: Before COVID‐19, people with intellectual disabilities were digitally excluded, facing difficulties accessing and using technology. The pandemic outbreak closed down many in‐person services and supports for this population. Methods: This study examined changes in technology use to support the healthcare and social connections of older adults with intellectual disability in Ireland (n = 682) during COVID‐19. Decision tree analyses explored factors associated with using technology for health and social connection; and to explore relationships between technology use and subjective outcomes of stress/anxiety and of positives during this period. Findings: Technology use for healthcare and social connection increased during COVID‐19, but not enough to make up for the loss of in‐person care/connection. Residence type was associated with increased use of technology for healthcare utilisation, with the highest rates among community group home residents and the lowest among those in independent/family settings. Increased technology use to speak with both family and friends was associated with prior digital skills and digital access. Increased technology use was significantly associated with both positive and negative experiences during the pandemic. Conclusions: The COVID‐19 pandemic offered an opportunity for increased digital connection for older adults with intellectual disabilities, but not all benefitted. Those with prior skills, available supports, and the greatest need to connect were more likely to enhance their use of technology. The complexity of the COVID‐19 period, including the general impact on mental health and well‐being, means that the role technology played in supporting quality of life and mitigating stress/anxiety needs further and longer‐term investigation. Accessible summary: Older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland used technology more during the COVID‐19 pandemic—to use health services, and to speak to family and friends.Having digital skills before COVID‐19 helped people to increase their use of technology.Technology helped many people to stay connected, but did not fully make up for the loss of in‐person services and contact.Participants who used technology more during COVID‐19 were more likely to report some positive things during COVID‐19.Participants who used technology more were also more likely to feel stress or anxiety during COVID‐19.This shows that COVID‐19 was difficult for many people. But the study also shows that most people also found some good things during this time. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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