Effectiveness of the Non-Face-to-Face Comprehensive Elderly Care Application “Smart Silver Care” for Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the non-face- to-face comprehensive elderly care application “Smart Silver Care”.

METHODS: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Sixty community-dwelling elderly individuals were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups in a 1:1 ratio. Participants joined the “Smart Silver Care” intervention using a tablet and smartwatch for the various programs we provided. The participants performed five tasks five days a week, consisting of physical, emotional, and cognitive programs. Participants could communicate with the researchers in real-time from their homes, and the researchers could remotely supervise their performance.

RESULTS: We found positive effects on relevant scales testing risk of falls (ABC: p=0.028; TUG, t=0.001). However, there was no time × group interaction between the experimental and control groups on the relevant scales testing depression and quality of life (SGDS-k: p=0.225; EQ-5D-5L, p=0.172) While the SGDS-K and EQ-5D-5L did not show statistical significance, we found improvement trends in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show that Smart Silver Care significantly reduced the risk of falls in community-dwelling elderly, and a qualitative evaluation confirmed that it could be conveniently used by the elderly. Thus, “Smart Silver Care” offers a feasible intervention for improving the quality of life of the elderly, including physical aspects.