Meeting Seniors' Information Needs: Using Computer Technology

Abstract

This article discusses the design and development of a program to integrate computer technology into two Nurse Wellness Centers located in low-income minority high-rise facilities. The goal of the program is to teach residents how to use the computers and the Internet to locate health information and to take a more active role in their own health care. Previous research shows that low-income seniors have had limited access to a personal computer and the Internet, therefore creating a digital divide between those individuals having Internet access and those who do not. By teaching minority seniors how to locate Internet-based health information, it is hoped that they will seek more information regarding their health conditions, proposed treatments, and current medications. This article describes the training format, barriers to implementation, and initial qualitative findings. M cLuhan (1964) declared that the medium is the message. This signifies that the medium an individual uses to gather information will have a direct impact on his or her mental thought processes and behaviors. As more individuals use the Internet to locate health information, researchers theorize (Berland et al., 2001;Drake, 1999) that this activity will lead patients to seek a more autonomous role in their own health care by asking their health care providers more questions, investigating available treatment options, and researching the quality of care they receive from providers and selected health care facilities. Fox (2006b) estimated that more than 113 million Americans age 18 years or older have used the Internet to find health information, and on a typical day, eight million Americans will use the Internet to research a health topic. Even with the increase in Internet use, a digital divide exists among Americans using the Internet for health-related purposes. THE DIGITAL DIVIDEThe U.S. Census Bureau reported that there are more than 35 million Americans age 65 years and older. From that population, roughly 34% go online, which decreases slightly to 28% for those age 70 years and older. In comparison, 89% of individuals age 18 to 28 years, 86% of individuals age 29 to 40 years, 78% of individuals age 41 to 50 years, and 72% of individuals age 51 to 59 years actively use the Internet. When compared to seniors age 65 years and older, Internet usage by other age groups is "near universal" (Fox, 2006a). Furthermore, of the 12 million seniors who go online, only 8.1 (68%) million use the Internet to locate health information. In comparison, there are 39 million individuals age 18 to 28 years living in the United States. Of those 39 million, 35 million are using the Internet on a regular basis, and 28 (79%) million use the Internet to locate health information.

Instructional Styles, Attitudes and Experiences of Seniors in Computer Workshops

“…Access to computer technology and the Internet has become widespread across various age groups (Bargh & McKenna, 2004;Campbell, 2008;Pew Internet and American Life Project, 2005). However, computer and Internet use continues to be characterized by a digital divide, such that few seniors use computers relative to younger adults (Fox, 2004;Campbell, 2008;Rogers, Campbell, & Pak, 2001).…”

Older Adults Use of Online Health Information - Do They Even Try?

“…As older adults are significantly more at risk to suffer from chronic illnesses and other diseases [6,7], online health information is ideally positioned to support their wellbeing. Yet, despite being actually using the Internet, older adults frequently do not make use of health information available online [4].…”

“…Older adults are significantly at risk to suffer from chronic illnesses [6] and those with a chronic disease are, in turn, more likely to "contribute to the explosion of health care costs in the U.S." [7]. Given that the older segment is expected to grow, health expenditures for seniors are likewise expected to rise [6].…”

“…Given that the older segment is expected to grow, health expenditures for seniors are likewise expected to rise [6]. It is expected that health care systems worldwide will be confronted with older adults, who will live longer and cost more to treat [8].…”

Growth Dynamics of Patient-Provider Internet Communication: Trend Analysis Using the Health Information National Trends Survey (2003 to 2013)

“…[18] While overall access to the Web has increased greatly with 84 percent of American Adults using the Internet in 2015, an increase of nearly 65 percent from 2000 when 51 percent of the population used the Internet [19]; the digital divide continues to be an issue. Home Internet availability is lower among older populations, racial/ethnic minorities, less educated groups, those with lower incomes, and/or for people that reside outside of metropolitan areas [20][21][22]. However, increased Internet access has also been seen in the underserved populations through the proliferation of mobile devices which make the Internet more accessible [22].…”