Educational Concepts of Digital Competence Development for Older Adults—A Scoping Review

Abstract

The digital transformation of healthcare and nursing is becoming increasingly important due to demographic change and the growing shortage of skilled workers. In order to ensure the participation of senior citizens in digital assistive technologies, educational concepts and support services are needed to promote digital skills in older adults. Therefore, the specific needs and prerequisites of this target group have to be taken into consideration. This paper asks how educational programs for the support of digital competences of older adults are designed and implemented. A scoping review was conducted to systematically extract existing findings from the literature. Four databases (Cinahl, PubMed, Web of Science Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), ERIC) were searched using an exploratory strategy to identify studies that address educational concepts promoting digital competences for older adults. A total of 47 publications were included in the qualitative analysis and show a variety of strategies to deal with the promotion of digital competences for elderly people. In conclusion, programs dealing with the promotion of digital competences for elderly people should be flexibly adapted to the target group with its specific needs and challenges such as fears, lack of previous experience, or physical limitations. For successful implementation, social support is of outstanding importance.

A rapid review of the effectiveness of interventions for addressing digital exclusion in older adults

“…Older adults may face a range of barriers when considering or attempting to use digital technologies. Physical barriers include aging-related barriers such as poor eyesight and lack of dexterity, and individual/personal barriers such as living alone, lower income, lack of knowledge around how to use digital technologies and difficulty understanding digital terminology (Vassilakopoulou 2023;Moroney 2020;Schirmer 2023, Yazdani-Darki et al 2020. Perceptual barriers include internalised negative perceptions and stereotypes of aging, fear and anxiety, and lack of confidence of using and/or in digital technologies (Gates 2022;Vassilakopoulou 2023;Schirmer 2023).…”

“…Physical barriers include aging-related barriers such as poor eyesight and lack of dexterity, and individual/personal barriers such as living alone, lower income, lack of knowledge around how to use digital technologies and difficulty understanding digital terminology (Vassilakopoulou 2023;Moroney 2020;Schirmer 2023, Yazdani-Darki et al 2020. Perceptual barriers include internalised negative perceptions and stereotypes of aging, fear and anxiety, and lack of confidence of using and/or in digital technologies (Gates 2022;Vassilakopoulou 2023;Schirmer 2023). This highlights the need to support older adults in developing the necessary skills required to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape and address the current digital divide.…”

Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence Adoption for European Union Elderly in the Context of Digital Skills Development

“…Additionally, whichever dimension is considered, the results of the analysis support the need for strategies adapted to the specific needs and preferences of older individuals. Recent scientific studies also underscore the necessity for an individual and customized approach to acquire relevant digital skills for the elderly [101], promoting at the same time the idea of flexible solutions in view of specific needs and challenges, such as fears, a lack of previous experience, or possible physical limitations [102]. At the same time, the importance of social support is emphasized, considering the process of ensuring the successful implementation of digital skills development programs among the elderly [102].…”

Parental digital competence and influences on parenting mediation

“…Acquisition of digital competence may be understood as a mindset, allowing users to adjust to new demands imposed by developing technologies (Coiro, et al, 2008). Adults, however, do not acquire digital skills for various reasons including fear, lack of prior experience, and other physical limitations such as physical disabilities, distance, and health (Hill et al, 2015;Schirmer et al, 2023). Studies have also found that age, familiarity with technology, educational qualifications, and professions were also some of the determinants of the acquisition of digital skills among adults (Hinojo-Lucena et al, 2019).…”