Cognitive Assessment: An Analysis of Elderly Cognition in an Intergenerational Computing Program

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Cognitive AssessmentAn Analysis of Elderly
Cognition in an Intergenerational Computing
Program

• Jean F. Coppola, BS, MS, PhD
• Barbara A. Thomas, RN, MA, MS, FNP
• Jessica Marta, BA, BSN, RN, MA
• Darren R. Hayes, BA, HDBS, MS, DPS
• Linda Forman, BA, MS
• Jessica A. Robinson, BSN

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Jean F. Coppola, Ph.D. Technology Systems

• Gerontechnology Research
• Consortium includes
• United Hebrew Geriatric Center
• Westchester Community College
• Westchester County Department of Senior Programs
  and Services
• Westchester Public / Private Partnership for
  Aging Services - SPEAK-UP (Student Participants
  Embrace Aging Issues of Key Concern)
• IBM

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• Intergenerational Computing
• Service Learning
• Collaborating with Dr. Fran Gustavson,
  Information Systems
• Co-developed AOK1 course CIS102T
  Intergenerational Computing
• Pace Students are teaching computers to seniors
  at the United Hebrew Geriatric Center, New
  Rochelle over a 5 week session
• Created computer labs in cooperation with
  students faculty from WCC from community
  donations

Jean F. Coppola, Ph.D. Technology Systems
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• Research Will Include
• Introducing customized Web Adaptation Technology
  to visually, hearing, or motor impaired seniors
• Pre- Post- instrument for seniors focusing on
  comfort levels, experience, perception, attitude,
  family support, and preferred input/output
  devices/characteristics
• Pre- Post- instrument for students focusing on
  perception and attitude toward the elderly

Jean F. Coppola, Ph.D. Technology Systems
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• Research Will Include
• Determining if using handheld technology
  devices will help seniors overcome fear of
  computer
• Developing pre- and post- instrument in
  cooperation with IBM for seniors to determine
  effectiveness of web adaptation technology
• Improving quality of life via improved healthcare
  information communication with family primary
  caregivers

Jean F. Coppola, Ph.D. Technology Systems
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The Montreal Cognitive AssessmentData
Collection and Description

• A cognitive screening test used by health care
  professionals for detection of mild cognitive
  impairment.
• Time for administration is 10 minutes.
• Score of 26 is normal (maximum 30).

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The Montreal Cognitive AssessmentCognitive
Domains Assessed

• Visuoconstructional Skills
• Conceptual Thinking
• Calculations
• Orientation

• Attention and Concentration
• Executive Function
• Memory
• Language

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Seniors Pre-MoCAsStatistics

• Participants 9
• Mean 16.8 out of 30 possible points
• Median 16.2
• Minimum Score 10
• Maximum Score 22

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Seniors Post-MoCAsStatistics

• Participants 9
• Mean 20.4 out of 30 possible points
• Median 19
• Minimum Score 17
• Maximum Score 28

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Findings

• Mean (or average score) increased 3.6 points
• Median (or middle score) increased 2.8 points
• Minimum score increased 7 points
• Maximum score increased 6 points

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Findings

• Findings found by the researchers and
  administrators of MoCA found, unequivocally, that
  seniors cognition improved (89 of the time)
  after completion of the intergenerational
  computing program.

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• Future Intentions
• Partner with other faculty to work with seniors
  to publish their memoirs with photos to a
  website
• Work with pre-dementia patients on brain game
  exercises perhaps CS students could
  program/design games
• Integrate Smart Whiteboard technologies into the
  training of seniors to be used by the students
  seniors

Jean F. Coppola, Ph.D. Technology Systems
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• Future Intentions
• Use mobile computing carts with tablet PCs to be
  utilized on nursing home floors for patients who
  can not come to the 1st Floor Computer Lab
• Collaborate with a museum in showing virtual art
  shows targeted for dementia patients for a
  similar effect as reminiscence therapy to
  generate brain activity in the region that
  controls memory

Jean F. Coppola, Ph.D. Technology Systems
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• Future Work
• Nursing Informatics
• United Hebrew Geriatric Center, New Rochelle will
  be break ground in late Spring on a new
  technology-rich building.
• Building will house technology enabled resident
  rooms nursing stations
• Possible Addl Sites for Gerontechnology
• Andrus on Hudson, Hastings On Hudson, NY
• My Second Home, Mt. Kisco, NY

Jean F. Coppola, Ph.D. Technology Systems
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• Other Research Interests
• Educational Technology working with current
  former students on the effect of SmartBoards on
  learning
• Teaching Learning w/ Mobile Computing
• Internet 2 collaborating with Monroe Boces,
  NYSERNet national Internet2.edu
• E-Classroom Design / Critical Thinking

Jean F. Coppola, Ph.D. Technology Systems