Discontinued Information and Communication Technology Usage among Older Adults in Continuing Care Retirement Communities in the United States.
BACKGROUND
Older adults are increasingly using information and communication technologies (ICTs). Recent studies show beneficial effects of using ICTs for older adults, particularly in terms of reducing loneliness and depression. However, little is known about the factors that may prevent discontinued ICT use in populations that may be at greater risk, such as those in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).


OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to examine a range of factors that may influence discontinued (1) ICT use, (2) searching for health information, and (3) searching for general information over time among CCRC residents.


METHODS
We use longitudinal data from a randomized controlled trial conducted with residents of 19 CCRCs. We use flexible parametric models to estimate the hazard ratio or hazard rate over 5 waves of data to determine what factors significantly predict discontinued (1) ICT use, (2) health information searching, and (3) general information searching.


RESULTS
The analysis reveals that independent living residents who took part in an 8-week ICT training intervention were less likely to stop using ICTs. Age and the number of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) impairments significantly predicted an increased likelihood of stopping ICT use. When examining specific ICT-related activities, the analysis reveals that independent living residents who took part in the ICT training intervention were less likely to stop searching for health information and general information online. In addition, age and the number of IADL impairments were associated with increased likelihood of discontinued health information searches and discontinued general information searches.


CONCLUSION
ICT training interventions may motivate residents of CCRCs to stay connected by increasing the ICT skill level and promoting confidence, thus decreasing the probability that they will discontinue using ICTs and searching for general information. However, the effects of ICT training on motivating continued ICT usage may be more pronounced among independent living residents. Limitations in the number of IADL impairments is a key factor leading to discontinued use of ICTs among CCRC residents, suggesting that designers of ICTs should be cognizant of the cognitive and physical limitations among this group.
['Rikard|R V|RV|', 'Berkowsky|Ronald W|RW|', 'Cotten|Shelia R|SR|']
D000203:Activities of Daily Living D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D040561:Assisted Living Facilities D003146:Communications Media D005260:Female D016852:Housing for the Elderly D006801:Humans D057187:Independent Living D000073256:Information Technology D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008297:Male D008490:Medical Informatics D011788:Quality of Life D014481:United States
Information and communication technologies Older adults Continuing care retirement communities Instrumental activities of daily living Computers Internet Online health information seeking Online information seeking Technology interventions