During COVID-19, senior meal programs in San Antonio stopped offering nutrition classes and activities. Researchers created a new program to help older adults learn technology skills and get nutrition education online. They taught 398 seniors how to use computers and the internet, then provided 15 weeks of nutrition lessons tailored to their culture and needs. The study tracked these seniors for 18 months to see if learning technology and getting nutrition education helped them eat better, stay more active, and feel less lonely. This research could help senior programs across the country bridge the gap between older adults who struggle with technology and the digital health services available to them.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether teaching older adults how to use computers and providing nutrition education online could improve their eating habits, physical activity, and reduce loneliness during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Who participated: 398 older adults from 12 congregate meal sites (community dining centers for seniors) in San Antonio, Texas. These were seniors who normally attended in-person meal programs but had limited experience with technology.
  • Key finding: The study is still collecting final data, but early results suggest that combining technology training with culturally appropriate nutrition education may help seniors improve their food security, diet quality, physical activity levels, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult struggling with technology or nutrition, learning basic computer skills paired with personalized nutrition guidance may help you eat healthier and feel less isolated. However, these results are still being finalized, so talk with your doctor before making major changes to your diet or activity level.

The Research Details

Researchers used a special type of study design called a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. This means they divided 12 meal sites into two groups and introduced the program to one group first, then the second group later. This design helps researchers see if the program works better than the regular meal program. The study had two main parts: first, seniors received 5 weeks of in-person training on how to use computers, the internet, and devices (like tablets). They also got technical support and internet access for a full year. Then, for 15 weeks, they received nutrition education lessons online that were designed specifically for their cultural background and needs. Researchers collected information about the seniors’ eating habits, physical activity, loneliness, and technology skills at the start of the study and then again at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months.

This research design is important because it tests whether a real-world solution actually works for seniors who face two big challenges: limited access to technology and poor nutrition. By combining technology training with nutrition education, researchers could see if solving the technology problem also helps solve the nutrition problem. The stepped approach also allows researchers to learn from the first group before teaching the second group, making the program better over time.

This is a well-designed study with several strengths: it involved 398 participants across multiple sites, which is a good sample size; it included community partners in planning, which means the program was designed for real-world use; it tracked participants for 18 months, which is long enough to see lasting changes; and it measured multiple outcomes (nutrition, activity, loneliness, and technology skills) rather than just one thing. The study is still collecting final data, so complete results aren’t available yet. The researchers also worked closely with the actual organizations that serve seniors, which increases the likelihood that findings will be useful in practice.

What the Results Show

The study is currently completing data collection for the 18-month follow-up period, so final results are not yet published. However, the researchers successfully enrolled and trained 398 older adults across 12 meal sites. The first group of 164 seniors completed the program by August 2023, and the second group of 111 completed it by April 2024. Early indicators suggest that the combination of technology training and online nutrition education is feasible and acceptable to older adults who previously had limited computer experience. The fact that seniors completed the program and continued participating through 18 months of follow-up suggests the approach is practical for this population. Researchers are currently analyzing whether participants improved their food security (having enough healthy food to eat), diet quality (eating more nutritious foods), physical activity levels, and feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Beyond the main nutrition goals, the study also examined whether seniors improved their technology skills and comfort using computers and the internet. This is important because many older adults feel anxious about technology. The research also looked at whether the program reduced loneliness and social isolation, which became bigger problems during COVID-19 when seniors couldn’t attend in-person activities. Physical activity was another focus, since staying active helps prevent falls, maintains strength, and improves overall health in older adults. These secondary outcomes are just as important as nutrition because they address multiple health challenges that seniors face.

Previous research shows that older adults who struggle with technology miss out on important health information and services available online. This study builds on that knowledge by testing whether teaching technology skills alongside nutrition education works better than nutrition education alone. The research also addresses a gap identified during COVID-19: when in-person programs closed, many seniors lost access to both meals and health education. This study tests whether digital solutions can replace or supplement in-person services. The culturally tailored approach is important because previous nutrition programs haven’t always worked well for diverse communities; this study specifically designed the nutrition lessons for the San Antonio population, which includes many Hispanic and Latino seniors.

The study is still ongoing, so we don’t have final results yet. The program was tested only in San Antonio, Texas, so results may not apply to older adults in other regions with different cultures, resources, or technology access. The study required seniors to participate in a meal program, so results may not apply to isolated seniors who don’t attend congregate meals. Some seniors may have dropped out of the study, which could affect results. The study didn’t compare the program to other types of nutrition education, so we can’t say if this approach is better than other methods. Finally, technology access and comfort vary widely among older adults, so the program may work better for some seniors than others.

The Bottom Line

If you’re an older adult with limited technology experience, consider seeking out programs that combine technology training with nutrition education—they appear to address multiple health needs at once. Look for programs specifically designed for older adults in your community, especially those offered through senior meal programs or aging services. Start with basic computer skills training before jumping into online health programs. Work with someone who can provide patient, ongoing technical support. If you’re a program director or healthcare provider, consider adopting this model for your senior population, as it shows promise for improving nutrition, activity, and reducing isolation. Confidence level: Moderate—final results are still being analyzed.

This research is most relevant to: older adults (65+) who attend congregate meal programs and want to improve their nutrition and technology skills; seniors who feel isolated or lonely; older adults interested in staying more physically active; family members and caregivers of seniors; senior center directors and meal program managers; healthcare providers working with older adults; and policymakers deciding how to support aging services. This research may be less relevant to tech-savvy seniors who already use computers regularly or older adults with severe cognitive decline who may struggle with learning new technology.

Technology skills can improve within the 5-week training period, but nutrition and health changes typically take longer. Most people see improvements in eating habits within 2-3 months of consistent nutrition education. Physical activity improvements and reduced loneliness may take 3-6 months to become noticeable. The study tracked seniors for 18 months to see if benefits lasted over time, suggesting that sustainable changes require at least several months of consistent effort and support.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake using simple photos or a food diary feature, recording meals eaten at the congregate meal site plus any additional foods. Also track weekly physical activity minutes (walking, exercise classes, or daily movement). Monitor weekly loneliness scores using a simple 1-10 scale. These three metrics directly align with the study’s main outcomes.
  • Use the app to set a weekly goal for attending nutrition education sessions or online classes. Create reminders for meal times at the congregate site. Log one new recipe or healthy food tried each week based on nutrition lessons. Schedule a weekly physical activity session (even a 15-minute walk) and log completion. Connect with other seniors through the app’s community feature to reduce isolation.
  • Review nutrition and activity data monthly to identify patterns and celebrate progress. Compare your food choices from month 1 to month 3 to see improvements in diet quality. Track technology confidence by noting which app features you use independently versus with help. Check in on loneliness feelings quarterly—if they’re increasing, reach out to program staff or community resources. Share progress with your healthcare provider at annual checkups to discuss how dietary and activity changes affect your overall health.

This research is still in progress and final results are not yet available. The findings described are preliminary and based on study protocols and early completion data. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider. Before making significant changes to your diet, physical activity level, or technology use, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have chronic health conditions or take medications. If you’re interested in participating in similar programs, speak with your local senior center, meal program, or aging services agency. Results from this study may not apply to all older adults, particularly those in different geographic regions or with different health conditions.