Feasibility of mobile mental wellness training for older adults

Heidi Similä; Milla Immonen; Jaana Toska-Tervola; Heidi Enwald; Niina Keränen; Maarit Kangas; Timo Jämsä; Raija Korpelainen

doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.02.001

Feasibility of mobile mental wellness training for older adults

Geriatr Nurs. 2018 Sep-Oct;39(5):499-505. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.02.001. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

Authors

Heidi Similä¹, Milla Immonen², Jaana Toska-Tervola³, Heidi Enwald⁴, Niina Keränen⁵, Maarit Kangas⁵, Timo Jämsä⁶, Raija Korpelainen⁷

Affiliations

¹ VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Kaitoväylä 1, P.O. Box 1100, Oulu, FI-90571, Finland; Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland. Electronic address: heidi.simila@vtt.fi.
² VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Kaitoväylä 1, P.O. Box 1100, Oulu, FI-90571, Finland; Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland.
³ Social and Health Services, Elderly Care, City of Oulu, Myllytie 4, Oulu, 90500, Finland.
⁴ Information Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, Oulu, 90014, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland; Information Studies, School of Business and Economics, Åbo Akademi University, Fänriksgatan 3 B, Turku, 20500, Finland.
⁵ Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology (MIPT), University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland.
⁶ Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology (MIPT), University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, 90220, Finland.
⁷ Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland; Oulu Deaconess Institute, Department of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland.

PMID: 29530292
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.02.001

Abstract

Mobile technology has been increasingly adopted in promotion of mental health among older people. This study assessed the feasibility of a mobile mental wellness training application for individual use and for group work from the perspectives of older adults and social care professionals. The older individuals recruited for the study were participants in a Circle of Friends group and family caregivers' peer support group offered by the communal senior services. The qualitative and quantitative results of interviews, questionnaires, observation, and application usage were reported. Seven older adults started using the application independently at home in parallel with the group activity. This study revealed new information regarding the barriers to the older adults' full adoption of such mobile technologies. The results indicated that there may be potential in the incorporation of mobile technologies in promotion of mental health of older people at group settings.

Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy; Depression; Group intervention; Older adults; mHealth.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Depression / therapy*
Female
Group Processes*
Health Promotion*
Humans
Mental Health*
Mobile Applications / statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires
Telemedicine / methods*