Accounting for diversity in older adults’ digital inclusion and literacy: the impact of a national intervention

Abstract

In many parts of the world, older adults continue to face significant barriers to digital inclusion, but the source of that inequality is not well understood. However, we do not know enough about differences among older people seeking to improve their digital skills. Examining the impact of a national three-year digital inclusion programme reaching more than 580,000 older adults in Australia, this study explores factors that affect digital skills and literacy later in life. A mixed-methods approach involving a two time-point survey (N = 337) along with participant interviews (N = 30) examined the effectiveness of programme elements. A latent class analysis was applied to examine differences in the way older adults engage with digital technologies. Qualitative analysis helped to detail those differences. Programme outcomes were far from uniform, reflecting diverse motivations, lifecourse experiences, needs and capabilities among older adults, countering much existing research that tends to elide those differences. With reference to the concept of situated literacies, we highlight the importance of life experiences, needs and motivations to the outcomes of digital inclusion interventions. Our findings emphasise the need to disaggregate older adult internet users, and account for differences in life experiences, needs and motivations in the design and delivery of digital inclusion interventions at scale.

Use of digital technologies by users of psychiatric inpatient services in Berlin, Germany: a cross-sectional patient survey

“… 36 For example, a recent systematic review on telehealth for mental healthcare among older adults found a positive impact of telehealth on depressive symptoms and healthcare utilisation (fewer emergency visits and fewer hospital admissions). 37 In addition, educational programmes regarding digital competencies could be beneficial not only for older people, 38 but also for people with mental illness or in precarious social situations.…”

“…36 For example, a recent systematic review on telehealth for mental healthcare among older adults found a positive impact of telehealth on depressive symptoms and healthcare utilisation (fewer emergency visits and fewer hospital admissions). 37 In addition, educational programmes regarding digital competencies could be beneficial not only for older people, 38 but also for people with mental illness or in precarious social situations. Interestingly, lower rates regarding the use of social media platforms were also revealed among our participants: other studies among 403 and 70 participants in the USA reported a social media usage (Facebook) of 67.9% and 71% in especially younger (<50 years) study samples with serious mental illness in community mental health centres in urban areas.…”