Denise Eldemire-Shearer | Older persons and upside and flipside of technology

For older persons, technology covers a wide array of things, ranging from at-home devices to social media, especially WhatsApp, to financial management, and there are differing attitudes and responses from older persons depending on the technology.

Some are positive, others negative. Is the digital age leaving older persons behind?

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

International and local studies have identified loneliness as a major issue for older people. Social connectivity plays a key role in the lives of older persons, enhancing mental, physical, and emotional health at a time when such opportunities are reduced due to retirement, loss of significant persons, and transportation issues. Cognitive function is enhanced by keeping one’s mind active and engaged. A computer with game apps can stimulate one’s brain. Social media and messaging apps, which are relatively easy to use, keep older persons up to date with family photos, news, and updates and contribute to maintaining social connectivity. Equally important are the community and church groups that check on members. Yet there are challenges, such as the case of reduced vision and/or hearing problems or reduced motor skills, making the handling of the app difficult. Cost of instruments can be a factor and can contribute to the digital divide or lower use among less affluent and or less educated. Many grandchildren want to stay in touch with their grandparents and are getting them devices so that they can.

As a contradiction, older persons who sometimes use social media will complain that young persons spend too much time on the phone and have a reduced ability to engage in conversation, and face-to-face conversation is preferred. And so many older persons struggle with whether to embrace technology or not.

Computers with Internet for email and Google searches allow older persons to keep up to date and are being embraced by some 60 per cent of people over 60 years in the United States while others find it intimidating or frustrating.

Yet there are positives to using technology such as devices that allow people to age in place in their own home as a safe and realistic option. Assistive devices and medical alert systems can monitor health and wellness, alerting caregivers when necessary. Use of such devices can also give younger family members peace of mind, knowing they will be alerted if something is wrong. Agreeing to use such a device can sometimes persuade a daughter and/or son that the person can continue to live alone if they want to, and many do, as independence and the right to choice are things older persons strongly want.

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

Health-monitoring devices can play a critical role in the management of chronic diseases, and 72 per cent of older persons in Jamaica have at least one chronic disease. Medicare alert devices allow one to call for help, and panic buttons are widely available locally. Older persons have a higher rate of falls, and fall detectors can alert caregivers that the older person is not responding. These are very useful for those who live alone. Clearly, the innovations in health technology can bring peace of mind to older persons, their caregivers, and families.

FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Are older persons being affected by the online financial-management revolution? Yes, many are, while many are not. Having used the traditional system of visiting a bank or paying bills in person, and most importantly, getting a receipt, many are uneasy with the new systems. Many lack the digital skills required to access their accounts or bills on the bank website or a mobile app. It is easy to say they can ask a younger family member for help, but in their eyes, that would reduce their independence and control over their affairs. In addition, some do not want family members to know their business due to trust issues. For others, especially in very rural areas, Internet connectivity is poor, and not all have smartphones to install apps.

Perhaps one of the two most important concerns for older persons’ online activity is removing one of their social-connectivity activities. Visiting the bank, the utilities companies, and seeing their friends and conversing and catching up on the past month of activities. Equally important is that many feel that their basic right to choice was removed as they feel they were told that the various institutions were switching to online and were not asked. They wanted to go online or continue to use in person.

Online banking can present accessibility challenges for older persons as many have not been exposed to the technology-savvy environment and are not digitally savvy. The argument that online activities saves time does not impress them as they have time on their hands although it may work for the family members by saving them a time-consuming trip.

Persons with visual impairments can find online activities difficult to navigate. Some features are also inaccessible because of small text and poor contrast. While for persons with mobility and neurological issues, tasks requiring time-sensitive, precise movements and multiple steps can be frustrating due to the time out and having to start over.

Small buttons, quick taps, and difficult authentication processes, which are necessary to secure processes, can be very daunting. Those with cognitive difficulties may have difficulty remembering passwords. Older persons can be easy targets for scammers, and older adults are afraid that their information can be accessed from the computer.

Some older people are very technologically savvy and have no problem with online systems, so it is not about not offering digital solutions rather to offer digital first, not digital only. To put in place systems to help convert the reluctant older persons to move towards embracing digital tools, including training and educational opportunities.

So while there are many useful digital technologies and some older persons do use them, others are hesitant, even unsure where or how to begin. Common barriers include fear of the devices, of making mistakes, and of scams, but these can be overcome. Simple age-friendly devices and easy-to-read instructions are a start. Easy-to-use devices are another way. While future generations of older retired persons will be fully digitally aware, some of today’s older persons need to be gently brought into the digital world, and it should be accepted that not all may want to be but still have the right and capacity to be independent, so choices are also needed.

Dr Denise Eldemire-Shearer is professor emirita of UWI Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.