Access to and use of everyday technology among older people: An occupational justice issue - but for whom?

• Published in: Journal of occupational science 2016-07, Vol.23 (3), p.382-388
• Main Authors: Kottorp, Anders, Nygård, Louise, Hedman, Annicka, Öhman, Annika, Malinowsky, Camilla, Rosenberg, Lena, Lindqvist, Eva, Ryd, Charlotta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: dementia; everyday technology; Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire (ETUQ); mild cognitive impairment; older adults
• ISSN: 1442-7591; 2158-1576; 2158-1576
• DOI: 10.1080/14427591.2016.1151457

Research into older people's use of remote controls, mobile phones, digital home appliances, and computerized communication systems reveals that many have difficulty accessing and using these everyday technologies. By using occupational justice theory as a lens onto this technological development, we argue in this commentary that critical analysis of the findings from an occupational perspective reveals systematic injustices that disadvantage certain sectors of the older population. In particular we propose that, contrary to what might be expected, diagnosis or disability is not the sole marker for a vulnerable population at high risk of occupational injustices. Rather, the empirical findings support that other aspects (e.g., economic, educational) may also be influencing both everyday technology access and use among the older population. In light of these concerns, we argue that (a) occupation-centred outcome measures are needed to target everyday technology populations at risk of occupational injustices, and (b) future studies evaluating the access and use of everyday technology among older people must also monitor and target socio-demographic diversities.