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  • The use of digital technolo...
    Sen, Keya; Prybutok, Gayle; Prybutok, Victor

    SSM - population health, 03/2022, Volume: 17
    Journal Article

    This systematic review emphasizes the need for technology use in older adults to reduce social isolation. With the advancement of technology over the years, the effectiveness of interventions based on its use can be examined to see how these can address the problem of social isolation and enhance social wellbeing. We focus on identifying how older adults can most benefit from affordable and accessible technology use and how the training and implementation of such interventions can be tailored to maximize their beneficial effect. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to select relevant studies. We analyzed 25 articles, performed a narrative analysis to identify themes, and quality of life indicators connected to technology use and wellbeing. Engagement of older adults at the community-level, following best practices from the Community-Based Participatory Research can facilitate effective practices to deliver technology based social isolation interventions and increase digital use self-efficacy in older adults. Mobile technology-based applications not only help families to stay connected, but also link older adults to resources in healthcare and encourage physical and mental well-being. Use of technology devices address cognitive, visual, and hearing needs, and increase digital use self-efficacy in older adults, particularly helpful during necessary social distancing or self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. •Digital use efficacy in older adults can reduce social isolation.•An integrated community-based approach with rolling-wave planning to support isolated seniors.•Absence of measurable definitions adds to difficulty in developing measurable interventions in research.•Implementation of technology intervention can be tailored to maximize beneficial effect.•Use of both online and offline resources to improve accuracy and efficiency of interventions.