Conversations as a Means to Delay the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease (conversation)

• Psychological well-being [ Time Frame: up to 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Pre-post changes in psychological measures (loneliness scale, depressive symptom, self-rated health, self-rated cognitive functions)
• Levels of social engagement [ Time Frame: up to 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Pre-post changes in levels of social engagement (social engagement scores)

Past epidemiological studies have demonstrated that larger social networks, or more frequent social interactions, could have potential protective effects on the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, in those studies, indicators of social interactions were often broad, and included distinct elements that affected cognition and overall health. the investigators will examine whether conversation-based cognitive stimulations have positive effects on general, and domain-specific cognitive functions among the elderly. Face-to-face communication will be conducted through the use of personal computers, webcams, and user-friendly simple interactive Internet programs to allow participants to have social engagement while staying at their home and also for the cost effective execution of the study.

• Behavioral: Active social engagement group
  Engage in 30 minutes conversation daily using internet/webcam, 5 days per week for 6 weeks, tracking of daily conversational amount outside of the trial by using a digital recording device, lasting effects will be assessed at the 3rd and 6th month after completion of the intervention
• Behavioral: Control group
  No active intervention, weekly phone calls by interviewer to complete health/social engagement monitoring survey, tracking of daily conversational amount by using a digital recording device

• Placebo Comparator: Control group
  No active intervention
  Intervention: Behavioral: Control group
• Active Comparator: Active soocial engagement group
  Engage in 30 minutes conversation daily with interviewers using internet/webcam
  Intervention: Behavioral: Active social engagement group

Inclusion Criteria:

• Non-demented participants
• Willing to participate in daily conversation using internet/webcam with interviewers for 6 weeks
• Willing to monitor daily conversational amount using a digital recording device
• Willing informant who has frequent contact with the participant

Exclusion Criteria:

• have major illness or disabilities which interfere with interacting using the audio/video technology
• diagnosed as dementia
• MMSE < 24 at screening
• Geriatric Depression Scale >4 at screening