The Efficacy of a Home-Based Functional Skills Training Program for Older Adults With and Without a Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

The performance of everyday technology-based tasks, such as online banking or shopping, can be challenging for older adults, especially those with a cognitive impairment. Technology-based tasks are cognitively demanding and require learning new skills. This study explored the efficacy of a technology-based functional skills assessment and training program (FUNSAT) among aging adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in home settings. One hundred and eighty-four racially/ethnically diverse male and female adults aged 65+ participated in the study. The sample included 75 non-cognitively impaired (NC) older adults and 109 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The FUNSAT program includes medication and money management, transportation, and shopping tasks. The MCI participants were randomized to the FUNSAT training or FUNSAT training combined with computer-based cognitive training (FUNSAT/CCT). The non-impaired adults received the FUNSAT training only. Using alternative forms of the assessment component of the FUNSAT program, assessments occurred at baseline, post-training, and one-& three-months post-training. This paper reports the post-training results. The findings indicated that the performance of both the non-impaired and MCI participants improved significantly for all six tasks post-training. Specifically, training resulted in improvements in task completion time and task errors. Participants also reported greater confidence when performing the tasks in the real world. Non-impaired aging adults and those with MCI can learn to perform technology-based everyday tasks. Further, home-based technology training protocols are feasible for aging adults with and without a cognitive impairment.