Older people may be capable of using iPads and Skype, but not all care environments provide this technology. Technologies such as iPads are easily mobile and can be used for video-calls using software such as Skype, a free tele-service. Previous studies have revealed that face-to-face contact through video-calls may be more useful for older people than telephone calls or written correspondence in reducing loneliness. Even so, social media and emailing provide less personal connectivity than face-to-face contact with a loved one, and may even add to the feeling of loneliness and isolation. Technological interventions have been developed that may reduce loneliness for dementia patients through telephone ‘be-friending’ projects, and the use of the internet. Loneliness and social isolation among older people may be detrimental to well-being, quality of life and cognitive decline. The SoW intervention, or something similar, could aid older people to stay better connected with their families in care environments, but if implemented as part of a rigorous evaluation, then co-production of the intervention at each recruitment site may be needed to overcome barriers and maximise engagement. However five barriers towards implementation included staff turnover, risk averseness, the SoW design, lack of family commitment and staff attitudes regarding technology.
Older people were able to use SoW with assistance from staff, and enjoyed the use of video-calls to stay better connected with family. Eight older people with their respective social contacts made use of video-calls. Resultsįour care homes implemented the intervention. Field notes and reflective diaries on observations and conversations with staff, older people and family were maintained over 15 months, and analysed using thematic analysis. Care staff were collaborators who implemented the intervention within the care-setting by agreeing the intervention, recruiting older people and their family, and setting up video-calls. The video-call intervention ‘Skype on Wheels’ (SoW) comprised a wheeled device that could hold an iPad and handset, and used Skype to provide a free video-call service. We undertook five steps of recruitment, planning, implementation, reflection and re-evaluation, in seven care homes and one hospital in the UK. MethodsĪ collaborative action research (CAR) approach was taken to implement a video-call intervention in care environments.
We aimed to identify the barriers to and facilitators of implementing video-calls for older people in care environments.
Face-to-face contact through video-calls may help reduce loneliness, but little is known about the processes of engaging people in care environments in using video-calls. Older people in care may be lonely with insufficient contact if families are unable to visit.
0 kommentar(er)
