Older adults attitudes to ICT

[Maureen Member]

I think this depends on the age group. I am 64 and have used ICT since 1986 so I have really ‘grown up with it’. I wouldnt be without my computer or mobile phone . I also love my 2 digital cameras but the camera on my mobile is much lighter in weight sharper and very convenient.
I used to work with Age Concern(UK) teaching older people how to use computers and most of them grasped the experience and were thrilled with the technology and how it helped them to contact loved ones abroad, shop online and book holidays and of course the social aspect was prominent in the sessions when people met new friends. Unfortunately for some of the older public it is quite alien to them, and they would really like to stick with pen and paper.
Of course we must not forget the older people who are incapable of using ICT . It has been proved that older people in care like to use electronic games with which they can exercise . This helps with balance and co-ordination.
ICT is a great asset in many ways for older people .

[HelenHawley Member]

Hi Maureen
It seems to me that you are saying older adults will use technology as an aid for social interaction. Do you think this is their primary motivator?

For those who just will not use technology, what do you think the barrier is? Is it that the technology is too complex? Or is it an attitude that they think they cannot do it and that they are ‘too old to learn’? I am woundering whether it is something we could tackle with the right approach.

Helen

• This reply was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by  HelenHawley.

[participant23 Member]

In my experience I found out that sometimes it is an attitude that they think they cannot do it (as Helen said),
but other times is just that people that never used technology just think they don’t need it; I report a typical case study that I often found in my interviewing work.
case study: Elderly woman/man of 70 to 80, housewife/retired, no experience with technology (apart of tv, radio and classic household appliances); their hobbies are: coocking, gardening, knitting, playing with grandchildren, playing cards, meeting friends, going to church or park…so these people think they do not need to learn to use technology. They are not interested in playing with ICT or socializing throug ICT, they prefer to meet friends to play card togheter or to have live talk.

This is a typical case study of a 70-80 years old of 2013; maybe in 2023, the 70 years old people would like technology because are already used to it.

[Author]

Posts