(P26-026-24) 5-Week Technology Class Increases Positive Attitude Towards Technology in At-Risk Community-Dwelling Older Adults Prior to Taking an Online Nutrition Class

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a technological shift, negatively impacting the health of San Antonio’s growing older adult population. The purpose of this study was to provide technology access, training, and culturally appropriate nutrition education to alleviate the digital divide and promote healthy aging.

Methods: Technologically limited older adults enrolled in the Congregate Meal Program were recruited. Thirteen senior centers were randomized into two cohorts: cohort 1 completed a 5-week technology in-person class followed by a 15-week online nutrition class consecutively while cohort 2 served as control. Baseline and 3-month surveys (post-technology class, but before the nutrition intervention) consisted of basic demographics and surveys for food security (USDA Food Security Module 6-item short form), nutrition risk (Dietary Screening Tool), technology use and access (the National Health and Aging Trend Study survey), technology attitudes, and loneliness (UCLA 3-question scale). Survey answers were converted to scores and total scores were used for analysis. Data were analyzed with the lme4 package in R software. A multilevel model clustered participants by center and controlled for baseline technology attitudes and significant demographic factors.

Results: The study population (n=320) averaged 71.48 (SD=6.18) years of age and 58.1% identified as Hispanic, 45% live alone, and 43% reported a household income less than $20,000 per year. More participants in Cohort 1 earned less than $20,000 per year compared to Cohort 2 (50% vs 36%, p < 0.05). Cohort was a significant predictor of technology attitudes at post-test (p=0.0015). Specifically, Cohort 1 had significantly lower post-test scores (more positive attitude towards technology) than Cohort 2. Additional predictors of technological attitudes included age (p < 0.001), with lower age predicting better attitudes, and a preferred language of English (p=0.045), which predicted better attitudes toward technology. No significant differences between cohorts were found for food security, nutrition risk, and loneliness.

Conclusions: A 5-week technology class with at-risk older adults can improve overall technology attitudes. Data on whether an online nutrition intervention after learning new technology can improve health are forthcoming.

Funding Sources: NIH 5R01NR020303