Internet Access and Use Among Dementia Carers and the People They Support in Australia: Cross-Sectional Survey.
Gespeichert in:
| Titel: | Internet Access and Use Among Dementia Carers and the People They Support in Australia: Cross-Sectional Survey. |
|---|---|
| Autoren: | Cameron E; Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, 61 40420701.; Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia., Mansfield E; Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, 61 40420701.; Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia., Ampofo A; Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, 61 40420701.; Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia., Coda A; Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia.; School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, Australia., Boyes A; Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, 61 40420701.; Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia. |
| Quelle: | JMIR formative research [JMIR Form Res] 2025 Aug 22; Vol. 9, pp. e68333. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Aug 22. |
| Publikationsart: | Journal Article |
| Sprache: | English |
| Info zur Zeitschrift: | Publisher: JMIR Publications Country of Publication: Canada NLM ID: 101726394 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2561-326X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 2561326X NLM ISO Abbreviation: JMIR Form Res Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Toronto, ON, Canada : JMIR Publications, [2017]- |
| MeSH-Schlagworte: | Caregivers*/statistics & numerical data , Caregivers*/psychology , Dementia*/nursing , Dementia*/psychology , Internet Access*/statistics & numerical data , Internet*/statistics & numerical data , Social Support*, Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Male ; Female ; Australia ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Aged, 80 and over ; Adult |
| Abstract: | Background: Dementia is a major public health priority due to its increasing prevalence and the considerable burden it places on individuals living with the condition and their carers. Internet-based tools can help carers and the people they support to manage daily tasks, access resources and support, track health data, and connect with health care professionals. However, the benefits of these tools will only be realized if the intended users have access to the internet and are confident in its use. Objective: This study aimed to examine the patterns of internet access and use among dementia carers in Australia and the people they support. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of carers providing informal support to a person diagnosed with dementia and living in the community was conducted. Carers were recruited through geriatric clinics, aged care providers, and community organizations between July 2018 and June 2020. Consenting carers self-completed a multitopic survey that included study-specific questions about their access to the internet, confidence using the internet, and whether the person with dementia they support was able to use the internet. Multivariate regression analysis identified sociodemographic factors associated with carers' internet access. Results: A total of 172 carers (consent rate 47%) with an average age of 71.8 (SD 10.91) years completed the survey. Most carers (126/155, 81%) had access to the internet; however, 31% (47/153) reported they were not at all confident in using it. The likelihood of carers having access to the internet decreased with carers' age (OR [odds ratio] 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.96; P=.003). Male carers were 4 times more likely to have internet access than female carers (OR 4.32, 95% CI 1.00-18.6; P=.05). Similarly, carers with private health insurance (an indicator of individual socioeconomic status) were 8 times more likely to have internet access than those without private health insurance (OR 8.45, 95% CI 2.74-26; P<.001). Only 17% (29/166) of carers perceived that the person with dementia they support was able to use the internet independently or with assistance. Conclusions: Despite high rates of internet access among carers, significant age, gender, and socioeconomic disparities were found, and a notable proportion lacked confidence in its use. Internet use among people with dementia was limited. The digital disparities identified in this study suggest that targeted training to build digital literacy to effectively use internet resources and co-design new technologies is needed. The findings further highlight that in this digital era, alternative methods to deliver dementia care and resources are essential to accommodate those who are unable to access or are less comfortable using the internet. (© Emilie Cameron, Elise Mansfield, Ama Ampofo, Andrea Coda, Allison Boyes. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org).) |
| References: | Dementia (London). 2022 May;21(4):1363-1380. (PMID: 35333111) J Alzheimers Dis. 2022;87(2):833-842. (PMID: 35404274) J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2014 Sep;69(5):763-71. (PMID: 24671896) J Clin Med. 2021 Feb 05;10(4):. (PMID: 33562749) Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2009;11(2):217-28. (PMID: 19585957) Interact J Med Res. 2015 Feb 23;4(1):e1. (PMID: 25707033) Res Nurs Health. 2024 Aug;47(4):409-422. (PMID: 38567389) Int Psychogeriatr. 2017 May;29(5):765-776. (PMID: 28351450) J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Sep;16(9):606-13. (PMID: 11556941) Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2020 Mar;28(3):363-367. (PMID: 31708379) JMIR Ment Health. 2025 Feb 10;12:e64445. (PMID: 39928936) J Med Internet Res. 2018 Jun 12;20(6):e216. (PMID: 29895512) J Med Internet Res. 2006 Jun 16;8(2):e9. (PMID: 16867972) Dementia (London). 2025 Apr;24(3):506-551. (PMID: 39604136) Aust New Zealand Health Policy. 2009 Jul 13;6:16. (PMID: 19594895) J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2021 Jul;22(7):1396-1402.e18. (PMID: 33887231) J Health Psychol. 2019 Oct;24(12):1668-1675. (PMID: 28810415) Res Gerontol Nurs. 2018 May 1;11(3):119-128. (PMID: 29634849) Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2024 Jul;39(7):e6119. (PMID: 39004777) Arch Public Health. 2020 Aug 10;78:72. (PMID: 32793345) Br J Gen Pract. 2021 Jul 29;71(709):e574-e582. (PMID: 33630749) BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2020 Oct 14;:. (PMID: 33055092) J Med Internet Res. 2022 Feb 16;24(2):e34790. (PMID: 35171099) JMIR Aging. 2020 May 19;3(1):e15480. (PMID: 32427105) J Med Internet Res. 2020 Sep 9;22(9):e19468. (PMID: 32902388) Aging Ment Health. 2022 Oct;26(10):1922-1932. (PMID: 34511028) Cureus. 2024 Jul 5;16(7):e63881. (PMID: 39099901) Health Promot J Austr. 2012 Aug;23(2):145-8. (PMID: 23088477) Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Sep 14;9:978635. (PMID: 36186787) Aging Ment Health. 2023 May;27(5):904-910. (PMID: 35356837) Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Nov 22;58(12):. (PMID: 36556907) J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2023 Sep;36(5):366-375. (PMID: 36597870) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Alzheimer disease; caregiver; online tools; support person; technology |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250822 Date Completed: 20250822 Latest Revision: 20250827 |
| Update Code: | 20250903 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12373296 |
| DOI: | 10.2196/68333 |
| PMID: | 40845330 |
| Datenbank: | MEDLINE |
Full Text 
Full Text Finder 
Nájsť tento článok vo Web of Science | Abstract: | Background: Dementia is a major public health priority due to its increasing prevalence and the considerable burden it places on individuals living with the condition and their carers. Internet-based tools can help carers and the people they support to manage daily tasks, access resources and support, track health data, and connect with health care professionals. However, the benefits of these tools will only be realized if the intended users have access to the internet and are confident in its use.<br />Objective: This study aimed to examine the patterns of internet access and use among dementia carers in Australia and the people they support.<br />Methods: A cross-sectional survey of carers providing informal support to a person diagnosed with dementia and living in the community was conducted. Carers were recruited through geriatric clinics, aged care providers, and community organizations between July 2018 and June 2020. Consenting carers self-completed a multitopic survey that included study-specific questions about their access to the internet, confidence using the internet, and whether the person with dementia they support was able to use the internet. Multivariate regression analysis identified sociodemographic factors associated with carers' internet access.<br />Results: A total of 172 carers (consent rate 47%) with an average age of 71.8 (SD 10.91) years completed the survey. Most carers (126/155, 81%) had access to the internet; however, 31% (47/153) reported they were not at all confident in using it. The likelihood of carers having access to the internet decreased with carers' age (OR [odds ratio] 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.96; P=.003). Male carers were 4 times more likely to have internet access than female carers (OR 4.32, 95% CI 1.00-18.6; P=.05). Similarly, carers with private health insurance (an indicator of individual socioeconomic status) were 8 times more likely to have internet access than those without private health insurance (OR 8.45, 95% CI 2.74-26; P<.001). Only 17% (29/166) of carers perceived that the person with dementia they support was able to use the internet independently or with assistance.<br />Conclusions: Despite high rates of internet access among carers, significant age, gender, and socioeconomic disparities were found, and a notable proportion lacked confidence in its use. Internet use among people with dementia was limited. The digital disparities identified in this study suggest that targeted training to build digital literacy to effectively use internet resources and co-design new technologies is needed. The findings further highlight that in this digital era, alternative methods to deliver dementia care and resources are essential to accommodate those who are unable to access or are less comfortable using the internet.<br /> (© Emilie Cameron, Elise Mansfield, Ama Ampofo, Andrea Coda, Allison Boyes. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org).) |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2561-326X |
| DOI: | 10.2196/68333 |