Ageing Well through Eating, Sleeping, Socialising and Mobility (AWESSoM): The effect of a phone app on activities of daily living.

The LifeCurve™ app uses a hierarchy of age-related decline in personal activities of daily living (ADL) based on a compression of functional decline model to measure ADL capability and to support behavourial change strategies to enhance function. The app has been adapted through co-design with community groups including Maori and Pacific and trialled by older people for input. The app provides a respository of exercises and advice relevant to the level of ADL as well as local and national services to enhance engagement. App usage is up to the discretion of the individual, and although it will be monitored throughout the trial there are no specific strategies to enhance adherence. A subgroup of participants will be interviewed at the end of the trial to give their views about the app. Access to the app is continuous beyond the trial and is not limited in any way. The study takes place at two regional centres in NZ, Tauranga (Bay of Plenty) and Howick (Auckland). The app is currently being rolled out through local hospital and health services at Tauranga. A trained research assistant (RA) interviews participants at home or other site at the beginning of the study with a follow-up interview at 6 months. The RA will ask questions about medical history, nutrition, oral and sleep health and socialisation. Performance based tests of mobility and balance will be carried out. Cognition will be assessed. 7 day accelerometry will measure physical activity, sedentary behaviour and gait. The RA assists the participant to set up the app and explains how to use it. Participants give permission and follow prompts to create a baseline LifeCurve status. They then set tasks, read helpful tips, and follow prompts to local services. A social connector trained by, and contracted to, Age Concern NZ (a national charity), will assist participants who identify social isolation as an issue. The social connector will meet in person to organise referrals to social community groups, agencies and services, and will provide follow-up as required over the 6 month intervention.