Co-Creating a Synchronous Tele-Education Program With Community-Dwelling Older Adults Using a Participatory Approach: A Mixed-Methods Study

J Appl Gerontol. 2024 Dec;43(12):1878-1892. doi: 10.1177/07334648241260614. Epub 2024 Jul 21.

Abstract

There is a pressing need to include older individuals in health education and uncover their specific needs. Leveraging the advantages of digitized health education, this study employed a participatory approach to engage community-dwelling older adults in co-creating a synchronous tele-education program, with dementia as the focus due to its rising prevalence and associated stigma in Singapore. Our findings demonstrate the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of tele-education. Participants' feedback and recommendations provided valuable insights and could guide the future development of a comprehensive tele-education program. Participants' satisfaction with the co-design workshops also indicates the potential of involving older generations in the design process of user-centered digital health interventions in online environments. Moving forward, the study advocates collaboration among health institutes, government and social agencies, and community organizations, alongside systematic evaluation of the long-term impacts of tele-education, with the aim of improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities among the older population.

Keywords: education; health promotion; older adults; population aging; technology; tele-education; telehealth.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dementia
  • Education, Distance / methods
  • Female
  • Health Education / methods
  • Humans
  • Independent Living*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Singapore