Aging well in a digital world: developing inclusive community-based technology programs for the mental wellbeing of older adults

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent necessity to close the digital divide among diverse Canadian older adult populations, to access services necessary to better their mental health. As society increasingly relies on digital platforms for various services and activities that impact mental wellbeing, including healthcare consultations, social interactions, and learning opportunities, older adults are at risk of being marginalized due to barriers related to digital access and proficiency. This PhD thesis focuses on exploring digital mental health interventions for older adults, with a primary emphasis on improving digital literacy to ensure equitable access to services that impact mental wellbeing. The project centers on three research objectives: 1) Identifying existing digital mental health interventions for older adults, 2) Understanding the factors that impact the mental wellbeing of community-dwelling older adults, and 3) Developing strategies to advance digital literacy and improve mental wellbeing. The initial phase emphasized equity, diversity, and inclusion in digital accessibility, and the need to focus on the social determinants of health and the specific needs of community-dwelling older adults in the heart of service creation. The second phase identified four themes contributing to the mental wellbeing of diverse community-dwelling older adults: stability, capability, positive impact on others, and a sense of belonging. These insights inform the development of interventions tailored to the mental health needs of diverse older adults. A framework was subsequently developed to provide equitable digital access for community-dwelling older adults, built on community needs and priorities. The findings and the operational framework from this research guide various Digital Literacy Programs across British Columbia, marking significant progress towards democratizing access to digital resources and education for older adults. Grounding the approach in community feedback and engagement validates older adults' lived experiences and empowers community organizations to develop tailored technology programs. The framework serves as a practical guide for managing digital literacy initiatives, offering a structured methodology for evaluating and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of digital literacy programs, promoting accountability and transparency, and ensuring programs deliver tangible outcomes that enhance digital inclusion and wellbeing among older adults.