Introduction
The technology is accelerating at a faster rate for the last decades. People that did not experience the early generations of modern technology such as microwaves and cables are now experiencing the latest technologies such as Wi-Fi and the internet access (Mackee et al, 2012). However, it could bring problems to the older generation since they could not keep up advancements of the modern technology (Bean, 2006). Most of the older people in the society do not use the modern communications technology such as the personal computers, tablet, smart phones and the internet because of many barriers. These barriers include accessibility of the technology, low awareness of its benefits to the older generations, inappropriate design and the fear of using it (Heaggans, 2012).
The modern technologies could be very helpful to anyone since it could develop the social skills of the user as well as creating interaction among individuals. It could also be helpful to older generation in developing their physical and mental health by curing social isolation and their loneliness. The issue is important to the society since it could develop a problem in the family interaction and could bring major problems to the aging health care (Mackee et al, 2012). The objective of this research paper is to discuss the barriers, importance and a viable solution to the issue of the older people and their use of technology. It also opts to analyze how the solution to the issue could improve the health care process of the older people.
Importance of the Issue
Social isolation and loneliness is one of the major problems of the older people. There are major reasons for their loneliness such as anxiety, racial problems, fear and sexuality. However, these could be added by the generation gap which is widening due to the modern communications technology. The younger generations are enjoying the benefits and advantages of the modern devices while the older people have fears in using them. According to Mackee et al, (2012), “household devices (technology) may have a positive impact on daily lives by reducing the burden of several tasks and enriching social interaction”. This trend could damage the structure of the society and could bring problems in the health care of the older people. Social isolation and loneliness of older people could bring them mental and physical health problems (Heaggans, 2012).
The modern communications technology could be a potential solution to the problem of social isolation and loneliness of the older people. Modern communications technology such as the internet and the smartphones could be very helpful for the older people in providing them opportunities. The technology could provide the older people some activities that could improve their social abilities and mental health. The technology could also provide new opportunities for the older people in interacting with their families and relatives. They do not need to go to the far areas for their interaction which could be very helpful for them since most of them are physically incapable of transportation (Heaggans, 2012).
Barriers to Technology (Issue and Problem)
Older people are viewed by the society as the generation which does not use the modern communications technology such as the internet, mobile tablets and smartphones. According to Bean (2011), “These people are primarily retired or close to retirement, and are finding it increasingly necessary to have computer skills, yet due to the aging process, learning those computer skills is more difficult for them”. Many studies show that there are large portions of older people in the society that do not use the modern communications technology. One major reason is their attitude towards the technology. Most of them are unfamiliar with these new devices while others are not interested in learning to use them. In addition, there are also other barriers that could result to the older people ignoring the benefits of the modern communications technology (Mackee et al, 2012).
One major barrier is the accessibility problem or the lack of home access to the internet. Only small portion of the people with age 60 and above have an access to the internet which is the main application of the modern communications technology. One major reason is that older people feel that they do not need to have an access to the internet. They are also unaware of the social benefits of the modern communications technology since they lived long enough without them. Others that are aware of the benefits of the technology also do not feel they need it because they feel that these modern devices are irrelevant to them (Heaggans, 2012).
Another major barrier is that the companies offering the modern communications technology generally aims the younger generations and somewhat do not have an interest in marketing it to the older generations. The result of this is that the devices are designed in order to attract the young people especially the adolescents (Morris, 2013). They designed the devices such as smartphones and tablets to have small buttons and complicated controls which could be a barrier to the older people. The companies are also not considering designing modern communication devices which are appropriate to older people because most of them are rejecting the technology (Heaggans, 2012).
Lastly, most of the older people have a problem in using the modern communications technology since it could bring them anxiety and fear. They have a tendency to feel fear to the new technologies. For example, they have a tendency to be afraid of using personal computers because they think of them as very expensive. They think that they could break them or they could do something wrong that could destroy the devices. They also feel that they have no proper security in using the modern communications technology (Mackee et al, 2012).
The generation of the older people did not experience the electronic evolution while they are experiencing the major events in life such as education and work. It is the main reason why the modern communications technology is not advertised thoroughly to the older people. For the younger generations, it is easy to teach the applications and programs of the technology since they could use it on school or in their work. However, if an individual is 60 years old and above, there are small amount of opportunities for him or her to learn the technology but to let someone teach. The issue is not yet been resolved yet since there are no significant programs to teach the adults about the use and importance of modern communications technology (Morris, 2013).
In my own experiences, it is very difficult to teach the use and benefits of the technology to the older people. Most of the times, they will tell you the stories of how they survived without the technologies we are enjoying in the modern times. They always argue that these are irrelevant and useless since people can live fully without these modern communications technology. In my opinion, I could also have difficulties in learning the applications and programs that are not thought in school. These barriers are the ones that could bring the problem or the issue of health care for the older adults.
Viable Solution
According to Haeggans (2012), “Older adults have special learning needs that differ from younger adults when it comes to technology.” However, it is better to think the older people are also capable of using the modern communications technology. By providing adequate teaching, support and training, the older people could also enjoy the benefits and advantages of the technology such as easier interaction. The approach of the method is to let the older people appreciate the benefits of the modern communications technology. The health care personnel should turn the attention, interest and expectations of the older people to the benefits of the technology. One major step is to let them realize the ease of life using the technology such as interacting with their relatives and families (Bean, 2006).
Proper training and support should accompany the method of teaching the older people about the benefits and advantages of the modern communications technology. Support is always important in building their confidence and removing their fears in using the technology and the devices. The health care personnel should give proper training in using the technology. It should be done by allowing the older people to use the technology and made them realize the importance of the technology in their health. In general, there should be programs that could develop the older people’s use and application of the modern communications technology (Bean, 2006).
Conclusion
Older people have a tendency to ignore and not use the modern communications technology such as computers and smartphones. The issue creates a gap between the younger generations and the older generations since the society is now accepting the change that these technologies are providing. The technology should improve the lives of people no matter what age or generation he or she belongs to. The issue should be solved in order to help the older generation in keeping up with the advancement of the technology.
There are numerous barriers which could be their personal problems or the improper advertisement of the technological products. These barriers are the factors why the issue or the problem has not yet solved. The issue is important for the society since it could result to the social isolation of the older people which could danger their physical and mental health. The viable solution to the problem is the proper training and support for the elders in using the technology.
References:
Bean, C. (2006). Techniques for enabling the older population in technology. Journal of eLiteracy, 1, 109-121. http://www.jelit.org/40/01/JeLit_17.pdf.
Heaggans, R. (2012). The 60’s are the new 20’s: Teaching Older Adults Technology. Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators, 21(2), 1-8. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ990630.pdf.
Mackee, K., Matlabi, H., Parker, S. (2012). Older People’s Quality Life, and Role of Home-Based Technology. Health Promotion Perspectives, 2(1), 1-8. http://journals.tbzmed.ac.ir/HPP/Manuscript/HPP-2-1.pdf.
Morris, M. (2013). Smart-home Technologies to Assist Older People to live well at home. Journal of Aging Science, 1(1), 1-9. http://esciencecentral.org/journals/smart-home-technologies-to-assist-older-people-to-live-well-at-home-jasc.1000101.pdf.
- The issue of older people and their lack of learning ability to technology is an important issue since modern technology should be helpful to anyone.
- There are major barriers that restrict the technology away from the older generations.
- One major barrier is the accessibility problem or the lack of home access to the internet.
- Another major barrier is that the companies offering the modern communications technology generally aims the younger generations and somewhat do not have an interest in marketing it to the older generations.
- Lastly, most of the older people have a problem in using the modern communications technology since it could bring them anxiety and fear.
- Proper training and support should accompany the method of teaching the older people about the benefits and advantages of the modern communications technology.
