Digital inclusion in later life: cohort changes in internet use over a ten-year period in England

Abstract

The ability to use the internet frequently is likely to provide a useful means of engaging with society and using services in later life, yet older people are the most likely to suffer digital exclusion, with those of the oldest ages at the greatest risk. Using six waves (2002–2012) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we model cohort-specific patterns of frequent internet use for people aged 50 and over. Multi-level growth models are used to observe trajectories of internet use over the ten-year period. Firstly, analyses are stratified by gender and wealth, and secondly we additionally test for health effects. The study finds cohort-specific differences in patterns of internet use. Rates of internet use increase faster among younger cohorts yet, despite initially increasing, begin to decline among older cohorts. Poor health is shown to be a key factor in shaping the trajectory of internet use over time. Rates of internet use are consistently lower for women than men and for those in poorer financial circumstances, independently of age cohort. The findings demonstrate the importance of ensuring older people can remain digitally included throughout later life, including after the onset of poorer health, especially as some of these individuals might benefit the most from some of the services the internet can provide.

Why disadvantaged older adults engage in community consultation: A world café study

“…The OPEN forums facilitated that through a physical bringing together of older adults, allowing for the gathering of information not only from the service commissioners themselves but also from their peers. Our findings add further weight to the argument that digital technologies are not a generalizable solution to loneliness and social isolation in later life (Matthews, Nazroo, & Marshall, 2019).…”

Map the apps: a rapid review of digital approaches to support the engagement of older adults in strength and balance exercises

“…Even so, digital approaches may only act as a suitable alternative for generally healthy older people with experience using such technologies. Many older people may not have access to the internet, or internet-enabled mobile devices, particularly those from older age cohorts and poorer socio-economic groups, or those with declining visual acuity or cognitive function [ 36 ]. Furthermore, independent exercise may not be suitable for everyone, such as older adults with poor general health, frailty, or fear of falling [ 37 ].…”

Remote primary care consultations for people living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences of people living with dementia and their carers

“…For people living with dementia, trials of remote consultations using video technology showed this was a feasible approach to providing ongoing clinical care (12), however this was either precipitated by an in-person visit explaining the remote consultation or conducting other testing, or the provision of additional technology as well as coaching (13,14). However, digital exclusion among older populations is high compared to other age groups (15), especially those with a lower income and lower (eHealth) literacy levels (16,17).…”