By Travis Fleak Burdick
The development of the internet and technology in the 21st century has become a phenomenon. In today’s digital era, every person needs to have a basic understanding of the internet and the endless variety of resources that it houses. With the surge in popularity of e-books, online learning tools, and open educational resources, it is likely that the majority of adults in the aging population have been exposed to digitized information; however, approximately 34 percent of adults aged 65 and older are disconnected from the internet according to a 2018 Pew Internet Research Center survey. These older adults who do not regularly engage with internet technology are missing out on the ability to research both health and non-health-related information, read news/magazines/books, engage in continuing education activities, and connect with immediate and global family members and communities.
Because technology is continually changing and progressing, physical and electronic upgrades and the associated understanding of them is important to help older adults benefit from the internet. The first (and most important) step in helping the older population better understand the internet game is all about the setup of the laptop, computer, or tablet. For a laptop, it will help the learning curve if an external keyboard and mouse are used. For computers, caregivers and family members should purchase a large monitor and a high-contrast keyboard with larger keys. Once the choice piece of tech is owned, set default computer settings to a high-contrast theme with larger icons and a larger mouse pointer, and adjust the volume appropriately. This will be a strong foundation for the older adult to begin exploring the vast internet world out there.
The second step in the internet learning process is all about teaching and interaction. A 2017 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, found that the three most prevalent self-reported barriers to internet use were: lack of instruction, lack of knowledge, and lack of confidence. If you think that the fix to all three of these barriers is simple, you are correct! Older adults just need a little bit of time and practice to understand the complexities of technology. Research polls indicate that older adults are generally eager to adopt new technology and are willing to learn the benefits of using a tablet or laptop, but provision of clarity in instruction and support are needed in order to change older adults’ perceptions of technology. You, as a reader who is using the internet at this very moment, can be the solution! Take some time out of your day to help an older friend or family member to better understand the internet or refer the older adult to one of the many venues in the community that can help familiarize them with the internet. These types of courses are provided through community programs at the Southwood Community Center and The Lincoln Community Center.
This brings us to the third and final step in the internet learning process: changing perceptions. The open culture of the internet can be confusing and many older internet users think that you have to purchase anything and everything from apps, to news articles, to games. A large portion of this perception is due to advertising, but there are plenty of free resources for news (such as National Public Radio), for health information (such as the National Institutes for Health), and for older-adult-specific information (such as healthfinder.gov or American Association of Retired Persons). By helping older adults to physically work through the process as well as actually see all the new things that they can do with the internet, they will be more inclined to ask questions and receive help. The learning experience can be fun, but younger teachers just need a little bit of patience and a drive to serve the aging community.
Technology, especially with its ever-increasing complexity, can be a very daunting subject for older adults who did not grow up with digital technology that is now commonplace in younger cohorts, but working together can make technology and the internet a less intimidating place. In working to help older adults better understand their way around a tablet or computer, it is important to understand the issues that each specific person may have. For example, a grandparent who has hearing aids may need to be taught how to properly adjust the volume, or a family friend who is nearsighted may need to be shown how to increase the size of text using a “zoom” function. The changes may seem small, but the effects of implementing these small changes could be the difference in helping older adults to better understand and engage with the benefits of technology and the internet.
About the Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging This commentary is brought to you by the Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging. CPHA strives to bring together stakeholders and partners from the community, clinical, and corporate sectors to address the needs of older adults. Working together, CPHA’s mission is to keep Texans “Active for Life®… Everyone! Every age! Every day!” For more information about CPHA, visit the website at www.cpha.tamhsc.edu.
