Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Interventions

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) brings together telecommunications and modern computing technology. It is defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information. [1] This includes computers, the internet (e.g., websites, blogs, emails etc), live broadcasting technologies (e.g., radio, television and webcasting), recorded broadcasting technologies (e.g., podcasts, audio and video players, and storage devices) and telephone (e.g., fixed or mobile, satellite or video-conferencing). [1]

ICT has been widely used in aged care. The Australian eHealth Research Centre’s work in ‘Health in the Digital Age’ includes storage of health data and data analytics, clinical terminology, use of data for other related purposes, and mobile health solutions such as telehealth. More recently, aged care providers have been trialling assistive and mobile technologies to meet certain needs of the people to whom they provide care and support. ICT has been shown to offer potential advantages such as improving the quality and safety of care and information sharing. It can also facilitate easier connections with health providers, families, and friends, especially for older people who are socially isolated. [2]

This evidence theme is a summary of one of the key topics identified by a scoping review of social isolation research. If you need more specific or comprehensive information on this topic, try the PubMed search below.

We found six reviews focused on the use of ICT in aged care facilities. Overall, any form of ICT used for social intervention such as email, video calls and chat using Skype, WhatsApp and Facebook, decreased loneliness and increased the social network size of older people. However, it should be noted that older people have different levels of social engagement and abilities in using ICT, which can affect the outcomes. There are also some concerns about the generalisability of the findings as most of the research was conducted with small groups of participants.

Loneliness and social isolation in residential aged care settings were shown to decrease with the following ICT interventions:

• A one-hour session of Nintendo Wii games over 10 weeks (compared to watching TV alone) [3,4]
• Listening to a radio program of music from the 1920s to the 1950s for one hour daily over three months
• Video conferences or video calls. This technology also improved family and social connections, increased social support, and decreased depression. [3, 6-9].
• Smartphone applications [9]
• Interactive social robots (i.e., artificial intelligence systems), although older people expressed concern that technology might replace true social contact with humans. [10]

There is inconclusive evidence for the use of Skype in decreasing loneliness whereas Facebook use reduced loneliness. However, Skype was easier to use according to the older participants. [6] Qualitative feedback from participants on the use of videoconferences and video calls was provided by one review. This review found:

• Videoconferences or video calls improved self-esteem, wellbeing and quality of life of older people. Older people felt that they were ‘still part of the family.’ [8]
• This form of contact, when integrated into occupational therapy sessions, was something that older people looked forward to. [8,11]
• Some older people reported getting anxious when calls were disrupted due to unstable or poor network connection, or when they find it difficult to use the smartphone or touchscreen tablet. Some people were afraid that video calls might end up replacing in-person contact with family and friends. [8]
• Older people need ongoing opportunities for training and practice in videoconferencing or video calls. [8]

• Foster ICT literacy by providing a wide range of opportunities and encouraging older people to learn and/or build capacity and confidence using varying forms of ICT.
• Be aware and respectful of how socio-demographic factors may influence a person’s readiness to engage in ICT training opportunities and learning processes.
• Support the older person’s preferred form of ICT device and the application/s that they believe work best for them to facilitate social connectedness, and information sharing as well as to pursue hobbies and interests.
• Use a strength-based approach where the older person’s strengths, experience and interests are used to encourage and/or teach people to use ICT devices and applications.
• Respect that some older people may chose not to use ICT while others, able to use ICT, may have a preference to use more traditional means to communicate/engage with family and friends, always or at special times, and/or with individuals.

• Enhance the organisation’s digital literacy and encourage staff to keep developing their skills.
• Provide a secure and stable internet connection in the aged care facility/service and ensure access details are readily visible within all communal rooms and bedrooms.
• Provide devices such as computer tablets and mobile phones for use by people who do not have their own.
• Facilitate learner-centred training for older people in aged care in the use of technology. Include training in online security.
• Provide opportunities for staff training in ICT and how they can respectfully facilitate older people to acquire and/or enhance their knowledge and use of digital technologies.
• If needed, support older people in their use of ICT.

1. UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) [Internet]. n.d. [cited 2022 Jul 29]. Available from: https://learningportal.iiep.unesco.org/en/glossary/information-and-communication-technologies-ict.
2. Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. ICT strategy and architecture review report [Internet]. The Architecture Practice; 2020 [cited 2022 Jul 29]. Available from: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-12/ict-strategy-and-architecture-report_1_0.pdf
3. Ibarra F, Baez M, Cernuzzi L, Casati F. A systematic review on technology-supported interventions to improve old-age social wellbeing: Loneliness, social isolation, and connectedness. J Healthc Eng. 2020;2036842.
4. Franck L, Molyneux N, Parkinson L. Systematic review of interventions addressing social isolation and depression in aged care clients. Qual Life Res. 2016;25(6):1395-407.
5. Kahlbaugh PE, Sperandio AJ, Carlson AL, Hauselt J. Effects of playing Wii on well-being in the elderly: Physical activity, loneliness, and mood. Act. Adapt. Aging. 2011;35(4):331-44.
6. Travers C, Bartlett HP. Silver Memories: Implementation and evaluation of a unique radio program for older people. Aging Ment Health. 2011;15(2):169-77.
7. Mikkelsen ASB, Petersen S, Dragsted AC, Kristiansen M. Social interventions targeting social relations among older people at nursing homes: A qualitative synthesized systematic review. Inq. 2019;56:46958018823929.
8. Naudé B, Rigaud AS, Pino M. Video calls for older adults: A narrative review of experiments involving older adults in elderly care institutions. Front Public Health. 2021;9:751150.
9. Robič M, Rotar Pavlič D. COVID-19 and care for the elderly in long-term care facilities: The role of Information Communication Technology. Acta Med Acad. 2021; 50(3):414-22.
10. Latikka R, Rubio-Hernández R, Lohan ES, Rantala J, Fernando Nieto F, Laitinen A, et al. Older adults’ loneliness, social isolation, and physical Information and Communication Technology in the era of ambient assisted living: A systematic literature review. J Med Int Res. 2021.
11. Zamir S, Hennessy C, Taylor A, Jones R. Intergroup 'Skype' quiz sessions in care homes to reduce loneliness and social isolation in older people. Geriatr (Basel). 2020;5(4).