Reducing the Digital Divide: Connecting Older Adults to iPad Technology

America’s older adult population is increasing at a dramatic rate due to better health care, technology, and improved living conditions. However, as individuals 65 years and older begin to live longer and experience multiple life changes, there is a larger incidence of social isolation leading to lo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied gerontology 2017-01, Vol.36 (1), p.3-28
Main Authors: Delello, Julie A., McWhorter, Rochell R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Communication
Computer Literacy
Computers, Handheld
Digital Divide
Electronic Mail
Female
Health services
Homes for the Aged
Humans
Information Seeking Behavior
Information technology
Internet access
Loneliness
Male
Medical technology
Middle Aged
Mixed methods research
Older people
Program Evaluation
Quality of Life
Social isolation
Social Media
Social Participation
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:America’s older adult population is increasing at a dramatic rate due to better health care, technology, and improved living conditions. However, as individuals 65 years and older begin to live longer and experience multiple life changes, there is a larger incidence of social isolation leading to loneliness, depression, and a general decline in health. This mixed-method study aimed to explore whether information and communication technologies, specifically iPads, improved the lives of older adults. Our findings suggest that the use of technology increased knowledge, elicited closer family ties, and led to a greater overall connection to society.
ISSN:0733-4648
1552-4523
DOI:10.1177/0733464815589985