Table 2 Summary of research conducted during the pandemic
Project title | Profile of older adult participants | Recruitment methods prior to the pandemic | Recruitment methods during the pandemic | Data collection methods prior to the pandemic | Additional data collection methods during the pandemic | Changes to study timeline due to the pandemic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Study A* Mixed methods longitudinal evaluation on transitional care (n = 150) | – Frequently readmitted older persons (aged 50+) – Lower income bracket, living in public rental housing – No cognitive impairment; can answer independently | – Inpatient recruitment at the hospital wards; on-site recruitment | – No change | – Face-to-face interviews | – Online – Voice call – Videoconferencing | – 12-month hold in data collection – 12-month study extension granted |
Study B* Longitudinal qualitative evaluation of an intergenerational befriending programme (n = 20) | – Older persons (aged 50+) who have been identified by community providers as socially isolated – No cognitive impairment; can answer independently | – Referrals from community providers – Door-to-door knocking | – Recruitment concluded prior to pandemic | – Face-to-face interviews | – Voice call – Videoconferencing | – 6-month hold in data collection – 6-month study extension granted |
Study C Qualitative study on care integration for older persons (n = 95) | – Older persons (aged 50+) receiving two or more services from a community provider – Lower income bracket, living in public rental housing – No cognitive impairment; can answer independently | NA | – Referrals from community providers – Phone recruitment | NA | NA | NA |
Study D Qualitative evaluation of a functional screening programme (n = 120) | – Older persons (aged 50+) who have undergone a nationwide screening programme – No cognitive impairment; can answer independently | NA | – Referrals from regional healthcare systems – Phone recruitment – On-site recruitment with strict COVID-19 safety protocols enforced | NA | NA | NA |
Study E Qualitative study on social isolation on loneliness (n = 80) | – Older persons (aged 60+) – No cognitive impairment; can answer independently | NA | – Referrals from a previous national survey (participants who consented to being re-contacted for similar future studies) – Phone recruitment | – NA (study not started) | – Face-to-face interviews – Voice call – Videoconferencing | – 6-month extension to account for limited manpower due to COVID-19, and research limitations stemming from nationwide safe management measures |
Study F* Longitudinal quantitative study on caregiving (n = 1085) | – 588 care recipients (aged 75+) who have received human assistance for their activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs/IADLs) – May have cognitive impairment; may receive assistance to answer – 497 current or potential caregivers (aged 50+) – No cognitive impairment; can answer independently | – Referrals from two previous national surveys of older persons in Singapore (participants who consented to being re-contacted for future studies) – Letter of invitation sent to place of residence – Door-to-door knocking – Phone recruitment | – Phone recruitment | – Face-to-face interviews Offered on ad-hoc basis: – Online – Voice call | – Videoconferencing – Mailed-in survey Offered to all: – Online – Voice call | – 3-month hold in data collection – 18-month study extension granted |
Study G Longitudinal qualitative study on caregiving (n = 60) | – Older persons (aged 50+) who are caregivers to other older persons (aged 50+) – No cognitive impairment; can answer independently | NA | – Referrals from Study F (participants who consented to being re-contacted for similar future studies) – Phone recruitment | NA | NA | NA |