Older People’s Use of Digital Technology During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“However, these trends may not be equal across different demographic groups, especially older adults who may have additional barriers in using technology (Czaja et al., 2006; Gitlow, 2014).”

“For example, more older adults in 2020 agreed that technology can be used to help combat social isolation, which is known to lead to stress, depression, and poor health outcomes (Coyle & Dugan, 2012).”

“Yet, historically older adults have been less likely to use technology for everyday services and communication than younger cohorts, due to factors such as digital literacy and access to the internet (Anderson et al., 2021; Hunsaker & Hargittai, 2018).”

“Older adults are often reported as being resistant to adopting new technologies unless the feelings of usefulness and usability of the technology are greater than feelings of inadequacy (Heinz et al., 2013).”

“…positively contributes to older adults ’ subjective well-being and healthy aging (Nimrod, 2019; 1 Simon Fraser University, Department of Gerontology 2 Western University, Department of Neuroscience 3 AGE-WELL NCE 4 University of Toronto, AGE-WELL NCE Ollevier et al., 2020; Szabo et al., 2019).”

“…use as the younger cohort under pandemic restrictions, despite being an age group that typically reports slower uptake and less use of technology in general (Anderson & Perrin, 2017; Davidson & Schimmele, 2019; Hülür & Macdonald, 2020; Mariano et al., 2021; Siren & Grønborg Knudsen, 2017).”

“However, these trends may not be equal across different demographic groups, especially older adults who may have additional barriers in using technology (Czaja et al., 2006; Gitlow, 2014).”

“Re fi ning and using co-design principles on existing technologies that older adults are using during the pandemic could lead to higher levels of engagement and uptake of other older adults to support their wellness and independence (Botero and Hyysalo, 2013; Wherton et al., 2015).”

“Re fi ning and using co-design principles on existing technologies that older adults are using during the pandemic could lead to higher levels of engagement and uptake of other older adults to support their wellness and independence (Botero and Hyysalo, 2013; Wherton et al., 2015).”

“…use of various information and communication technologies positively contributes to older adults ’ subjective well-being and healthy aging (Nimrod, 2019; 1 Simon Fraser University, Department of Gerontology 2 Western University, Department of Neuroscience 3 AGE-WELL NCE 4 University of…”

“…use as the younger cohort under pandemic restrictions, despite being an age group that typically reports slower uptake and less use of technology in general (Anderson & Perrin, 2017; Davidson & Schimmele, 2019; Hülür & Macdonald, 2020; Mariano et al., 2021; Siren & Grønborg Knudsen, 2017).”

“Specifically, digital technology has a crucial role in facilitating the delivery of nutritional and exercise interventions that are well accepted among older adults 134,135 .”

“These findings are consistent with several studies, suggesting strongly that the belief that most older adults lack the ability and desire to learn ICTs is simply not accurate (Vaportzis et al., 2017; Sixsmith et al., 2022).”

“While there has been increasing reliance on telehealth for health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic [76] and greater acceptance of technology among older adults [77], few studies on telehealth are included here.”

“Indeed, technology use is associated with perceived social capital [20] and may have helped older adults with restricted social mobility to connect more efficiently with their social contacts [21].”

“…tends to view technological monitoring positively, possibly due to their concerns about frailty and potential health decline (Bian et al. 2021; Sixsmith et al. 2022), and participants may have been self-selective due to their interest in these technologies, which might explain their focus…”