Background: Cognitive decline in older adults poses significant challenges, necessitating innovative interventions. The integration of transgenerational interaction and telerehabilitation has potential for promoting healthy aging. This approach leverages the active involvement of younger caregivers to mitigate technological barriers while delivering flexible, remote cognitive training. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a strategic combined approach integrating telerehabilitation and the transgenerational model to enhance cognitive functions in an older adult with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD). Method: An 80-year-old participant underwent a month-long cognitive enhancement program involving three weekly telerehabilitation sessions, facilitated by a young caregiver (grandson). Psychometric assessments pre- and post-intervention measured cognitive, emotional, and functional outcomes. Statistical analyses assessed the significance of observed changes. Results: Improvements were observed in reaction times (a decrease of 0.35 seconds), visual memory accuracy (a 14% increase), and overall engagement with telerehabilitation tasks. Emotional well-being showed slight positive changes, reflected in reduced depressive symptoms. The active role of the young caregiver ensured consistent adherence and mitigated the digital divide. Conclusion: This combined strategic approach demonstrates promise in addressing cognitive decline and overcoming technological barriers in older adults. It underscores the importance of intergenerational solidarity in enhancing cognitive and emotional well-being. Future studies with larger samples and extended durations are recommended to validate and expand these findings.
Sicali et al. (Mon,) studied this question.