[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-428621-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":84,"doc-detail-428621-en":134},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":77,"head_meta":79,"extra_data":81,"updated_unix":83},105,"en","creating-connection-beyond-access-a-structured-digital-engagement-platform-for-older-adults-issue-2","CREATING CONNECTION BEYOND ACCESS - A STRUCTURED DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR OLDER ADULTS - Issue 2","","Loneliness and depressive symptoms remain persistent concerns in later life, especially among older adults with functional or sensory limitations. Evidence on the feasibility of digital programs and their mental-health correlates across diverse samples is limited. This study evaluated the Virtual Senior Center (VSC), a facilitator-led, routine-based online program, assessing loneliness, depressive symptoms, digital confidence, and perceived benefits, supplemented with focus groups. Twenty-three racially diverse participants completed baseline surveys after enrollment. Digital confidence showed negative associations with loneliness and depressive symptoms, while functional limitations correlated with higher depressive symptoms. Focus-group themes highlighted the value of structured routines and consistent peer connection opportunities. Results indicate VSC may support emotional well-being and sustained engagement in community 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confidence?",{"text":71,"@type":63},"Digital confidence was negatively associated with both loneliness and depressive symptoms, suggesting it supported emotional well-being.",{"name":73,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":74},"Why were structured routines and peer connection emphasized in focus groups?",{"text":75,"@type":63},"Participants’ focus-group themes stressed that structured routines and consistent opportunities for peer connection made the program feel like a meaningful part of weekly life, supporting sustained engagement.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":78,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":80,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":82,"site_id":7},428621,1790765662,{"code":4,"msg":85,"data":86},"success",[87,91,95,99,104,109,113,118,123,126,130],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":88,"show_sort_weight":89,"slug":90},"Story & 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A STRUCTURED DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR OLDER ADULTS  \nSoohyoung Rain Lee1, Andrea Maxi1, Sharon Turnage1, Cathy Sasscer1, Sarah Kaufman1, Hang Liu2, Ana Semedo2, and Grace Yi3, 1. Yeshiva University, New York, New York, United States, 2. Selfhelp, New York, New York, United States,  \n3. California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, California, United States  \nLoneliness and depressive symptoms are persistent concerns in later life, particularly for those with functional or sensory limitations. Digital programs may help, yet evidence on feasibility and mental health correlates in diverse samples is limited. This study evaluated the Virtual Senior Center (VSC), a facilitator-led,  \n1306 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2  \nroutine-based online program, examining loneliness, depressive symptoms, digital confidence, and perceived benefits, supplemented with focus group interviews. Twenty-three racially diverse older adults completed baseline surveys after enrollment and participation in at least one session. Measures included the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale-10, digital confidence, functional limitations, and participation. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, and Spearman’s ρ were used. Focus groups were analyzed using rapid content analysis. Participants reported moderate loneliness (M=41.4, SD =15.0) and mild depressive symptoms (M = 2.3, SD = 2.2) . Digital confidence was negatively associated with loneliness (ρ = -.49, p = .02) and depressive symptoms (ρ = -.54, p = .01). Functional limitations were associated with higher depressive symptoms (ρ = .53, p = .01), but not loneliness, and did not reduce program use. Focus group themes emphasized the value of structured routines and consistent opportunities for peer connection, making VSC a meaningful part of weekly life. Findings suggest that digital confidence supports emotional well-being and that structured, inclusive programs can sustain engagement even among older adults with impairments. By fostering routine, familiarity, and continuity, areas where many digital interventions failed to provide, VSC demonstrates potential to reduce isolation and support aging well in the community.","cbCaif3Q8ufgHJEN","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaif3Q8ufgHJEN","pdf",2255735,"English","# Abstract\n## Background and purpose\n## Methods\n## Results\n## Conclusions","[{\"question\":\"What program was evaluated in the study?\",\"answer\":\"The study evaluated the Virtual Senior Center (VSC), a facilitator-led, routine-based online program designed to support engagement and social connection for older adults.\"},{\"question\":\"How were loneliness and depressive symptoms measured?\",\"answer\":\"Loneliness was assessed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale-10, along with measures of digital confidence and functional limitations.\"},{\"question\":\"What did the study find about digital confidence?\",\"answer\":\"Digital confidence was negatively associated with both loneliness and depressive symptoms, suggesting it supported emotional well-being.\"},{\"question\":\"Why were structured routines and peer connection emphasized in focus groups?\",\"answer\":\"Participants’ focus-group themes stressed that structured routines and consistent opportunities for peer connection made the program feel like a meaningful part of weekly life, supporting sustained engagement.\"}]","CREATING CONNECTION BEYOND ACCESS - A STRUCTURED DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR OLDER ADULTS - Issue 2 | PDF",1790647157]