PapersFlow Research Brief
Technology Use by Older Adults
Research Guide
What is Technology Use by Older Adults?
Technology Use by Older Adults is the adoption, application, and effects of digital tools, internet, health technologies, and assistive devices among people aged 65 and older to support aging in place, independence, and social connectivity.
The field examines internet usage, digital divides, gerontechnology, and health technology impacts on older adults, with 38,321 papers published. Czaja et al. (2006) analyzed factors predicting technology use in a sample of community-dwelling adults aged 18-91, identifying age, education, and prior experience as key predictors. Peek et al. (2015) identified reasons older adults use technology while aging in place, such as maintaining independence and safety.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Digital Divide Among Older Adults
Investigates disparities in technology access, skills, and usage between older and younger adults, including socioeconomic factors. Researchers evaluate interventions to bridge the gap.
Gerontechnology for Aging in Place
Designs and assesses assistive technologies like smart homes and wearables to support independent living. Studies usability, acceptance, and impact on autonomy.
Older Adults Internet Usage Patterns
Analyzes frequency, purposes, and barriers to internet use among seniors for communication and information. Longitudinal studies track adoption trends.
Technology Impact on Social Isolation in Elderly
Evaluates how ICTs like video calls and social media mitigate or exacerbate loneliness in older adults. Research measures psychological well-being outcomes.
Inclusive Design for Older Technology Users
Develops user-centered design principles accommodating age-related declines in vision, cognition, and motor skills. Tests prototypes with older cohorts.
Why It Matters
Technology use enables older adults to age in place, a preference shared by most and supported by policymakers, through tools that promote independence, activity, and health. Peek et al. (2015) showed that older adults employ technology for safety monitoring and social contact, with their study cited 19,709 times highlighting practical applications in home-based care. Czaja et al. (2006) demonstrated that predictors like education and income influence adoption, informing inclusive design in industries such as healthcare and gerontology; their work with the CREATE center involved 2,400+ participants across technologies like computers and ATMs. Morris and Venkatesh (2000) found age differences in workplace technology adoption over 5 months among 118 workers, with implications for workforce training programs. These findings drive developments in health apps and assistive agents, as in Heerink et al. (2010), which assessed acceptance models for social robots among older adults.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Older Adults' Reasons for Using Technology while Aging in Place" by Peek et al. (2015), as it provides a clear, highly cited (19,709 times) entry point into motivations for technology adoption supporting home-based aging.
Key Papers Explained
Peek et al. (2015) establishes reasons for technology use in aging in place, building the foundation cited 19,709 times. Czaja et al. (2006) extends this by quantifying predictors like age and education in a large CREATE sample (1,976 citations). Morris and Venkatesh (2000) applies these to workplace contexts over 5 months (1,661 citations), while Heerink et al. (2010) focuses on assistive social agents (1,106 citations), connecting adoption factors to specific gerontechnology designs.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research centers on factors from Czaja et al. (2006) and models like the Almere in Heerink et al. (2010) to refine inclusive designs. Emphasis persists on digital divides and health tech, with no recent preprints available. Sustained focus on aging in place from Peek et al. (2015).
Papers at a Glance
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors predict technology use among older adults?
Czaja et al. (2006) found that age, education, income, and prior experience predict technology use in community-dwelling adults aged 18-91. Their CREATE study surveyed over 2,400 participants on devices like computers and cell phones. Younger age and higher education correlated with greater adoption.
Why do older adults use technology while aging in place?
Peek et al. (2015) reported that older adults use technology to maintain independence, safety, and social connections in their homes. The study highlighted preferences for tools supporting daily activities and health monitoring. Policy favors such technology to keep seniors active and healthy.
How do age differences affect technology adoption decisions?
Morris and Venkatesh (2000) showed older workers exhibit different adoption patterns for new software, based on a 5-month study of 118 employees using the theory of planned behavior. Older age linked to lower initial usage but sustained patterns varied. Implications apply to changing workforces.
What models assess acceptance of assistive technology by older adults?
Heerink et al. (2010) developed the Almere Model to evaluate older adults' acceptance of assistive social agent technology. The model incorporates factors like trust, enjoyment, and perceived usefulness. It provides a framework for designing acceptable robotic aids.
What is the current state of health app use among older adults?
Krebs and Duncan (2015) surveyed US mobile phone owners, finding substantial use of health apps but high discontinuation rates due to cost and data entry issues. Many users stop after initial trials. Developers must address these barriers for sustained engagement.
How does technology relate to social isolation in older adults?
Papers in this field address internet and social media use to reduce social isolation, as noted in the cluster description. Peek et al. (2015) linked technology to social support while aging in place. Gerontechnology focuses on tools countering isolation through connectivity.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can digital divides in technology access be reduced for low-income older adults?
- ? What long-term effects do health technologies have on older adults' independence?
- ? Which design features maximize acceptance of social robots by older adults?
- ? How do cognitive age differences influence sustained technology usage over time?
- ? What role does lifelong learning play in overcoming technology adoption barriers for seniors?
Recent Trends
The field includes 38,321 works with no specified 5-year growth rate.
Highly cited papers from 2006-2015, such as Peek et al. (2015, 19,709 citations) and Czaja et al. (2006, 1,976 citations), dominate, indicating established research without noted recent surges.
No preprints or news from the last 12 months available.
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