A Scalable Model for Promoting Functioning and Well-Being Among Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment Via Meaningful Social Interactions: Project SPEAK!

A Scalable Model for Promoting Functioning and Well-Being Among Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment Via Meaningful Social Interactions: Project SPEAK!

The goal of this study is to refine and test a strategy for engaging older adults with symptoms of SCD/MCI (subjective cognitive decline/mild cognitive impairment) as volunteers to help English language learners (ELLs) who live in the US improve their speaking skills via structured conversations using videoconferencing.

Aim 1: Conduct a user-centered design process to refine the SPEAK! training protocols for older adults with symptoms of SCD/MCI and ELLs, and the materials that will support productive engaging English conversation practice.

Aim 2: Conduct a randomized, wait-list controlled trial of 8 weeks of SPEAK! participation, using a variety of recruitment sources, in order to evaluate our capacity to recruit, implement the intervention, and retain older adults with symptoms of SCD/MCI in sufficient numbers for a subsequent randomized-controlled trial evaluating the intervention's impact on participants' psychological well-being, mood, and cognitive functioning.

Aim 3: Using mixed methods, evaluate the communication process between older adults with symptoms of SCD/MCI and ELLs including factors that contribute to satisfaction of both parties, engagement in planned contacts, possible contributors to stress or dissatisfaction, and perceptions among older adults of being appreciated and effective. The investigators will also estimate variances for key outcome variables and conduct exploratory analyses of intervention-control differences in participants' perceptions of their wellbeing, mood, and cognitive functioning.

Mild Cognitive Impairment participant --

Inclusion Criteria:

• 55+ years of age, fluent speakers of English of any race/ethnicity, and be able to participate in a videoconference via a smartphone, tablet laptop, or desktop computer in their home or referring organization using a widely accessible, no cost videoconferencing platform.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants will be ineligible if they have a history of stroke or traumatic brain injury, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or current alcohol or drug abuse/dependence, that would affect their ability to participate in the study; MoCA score <12.