Recent Innovations in Peer Programs for Socially Isolated Older Adults: Implications for Public Health Emergency Preparedness

IF 4.5 2区 医学 Q1 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY
Ashwin A. Kotwal, Shannon Fuller, Katrina Hough, Nandini Singh, Soe Han Tha, Janet Myers, Daniel Hill, Richard Zevin, Diane E. Meier, Carla M. Perissinotto
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Peer programs, which pair individuals of similar age or life experience, can address complex psychosocial needs, loneliness, and social isolation among diverse older adults. However, these services were heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined which pandemic-era innovations were sustained across six peer programs and identified core features of peer programs relevant to future public health emergency preparedness.

Methods

In this mixed-methods study, we first thematically analyzed 67 qualitative interviews (August, 2023–April, 2024) with diverse stakeholders, including older adult participants (n = 24), peer specialists (n = 12), program leaders across six peer programs (n = 12), and experts in aging, public health, and peer programs (n = 19) using a rapid assessment process. Qualitative findings were compared with quantitative trajectories of loneliness and depression among peer program participants over 6-month intervals (May 2020–April 2024).

Results

Peer programs have been involved in ongoing efforts to help older adults recover from prolonged loneliness and isolation related to pandemic restrictions. Two pandemic-era innovations were sustained: (1) hybrid communication (in-person, virtual, and telephone) that expanded reach, and (2) new partnerships with health and city services. However, “peer drift,” where peers roles can become diluted as they are asked to do more, emerged as a challenge, complicating the consistency and effectiveness of programs. Core features of peer programs identified as relevant to future public health emergency preparedness included: (1) fostering trust with marginalized communities, (2) flexibility in responding to urgent public health needs, and (3) complementary expertise to clinical teams. Quantitative data demonstrated diverse trajectories of loneliness and depression for participants over multiple years of the public health emergency, with interviews indicating how peers helped older adults navigate these challenges.

Conclusion

Peer programs have continued to leverage hybrid communication and expanded health and city partnerships to meet the needs of socially isolated older adults. Results further suggest their potential to be integrated into future public health emergency responses.

Abstract Image

社会孤立的老年人同伴计划的最新创新:对公共卫生应急准备的影响。
背景:同伴项目,将年龄或生活经历相似的个体配对,可以解决不同老年人复杂的心理社会需求、孤独和社会隔离问题。然而,这些服务因COVID-19大流行而严重中断。本研究考察了哪些大流行时代的创新在六个同行项目中得以持续,并确定了与未来公共卫生应急准备相关的同行项目的核心特征。方法:在这项混合方法研究中,我们首先对67次定性访谈(2023年8月至2024年4月)进行了主题分析,访谈对象包括不同的利益相关者,包括老年人参与者(n = 24)、同行专家(n = 12)、六个同行项目的项目负责人(n = 12),以及老龄化、公共卫生和同行项目专家(n = 19)。在6个月的时间间隔(2020年5月- 2024年4月)期间,对同伴项目参与者的孤独感和抑郁感的定量轨迹进行了定性研究。结果:同伴项目一直在努力帮助老年人从与流行病限制有关的长期孤独和隔离中恢复过来。两项大流行时代的创新得以持续:(1)扩大覆盖面的混合通信(面对面、虚拟和电话),以及(2)与卫生和城市服务部门的新伙伴关系。然而,“同伴漂移”,当同伴被要求做更多的事情时,他们的角色可能会被稀释,这是一个挑战,使项目的一致性和有效性复杂化。被确定为与未来公共卫生应急准备相关的同伴计划的核心特征包括:(1)培养与边缘化社区的信任,(2)响应紧急公共卫生需求的灵活性,以及(3)临床团队的互补专业知识。定量数据显示,在公共卫生突发事件的多年里,参与者的孤独和抑郁轨迹各不相同,访谈显示了同龄人如何帮助老年人应对这些挑战。结论:同伴项目继续利用混合通信和扩大卫生与城市伙伴关系,以满足社会孤立的老年人的需求。结果进一步表明,它们有可能被纳入未来的突发公共卫生事件应对措施。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
10.00
自引率
6.30%
发文量
504
审稿时长
3-6 weeks
期刊介绍: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) is the go-to journal for clinical aging research. We provide a diverse, interprofessional community of healthcare professionals with the latest insights on geriatrics education, clinical practice, and public policy—all supporting the high-quality, person-centered care essential to our well-being as we age. Since the publication of our first edition in 1953, JAGS has remained one of the oldest and most impactful journals dedicated exclusively to gerontology and geriatrics.
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