Older Adults' Training Preferences for Learning to Use Technology

Mitzner, Tracy L.; Fausset, Cara Bailey; Boron, Julie Blaskewicz; Adams, Anne; Dijkstra, Katinka; Lee, Chin Chin; Rogers, Wendy A.; Fisk, Arthur D.

doi:10.1177/154193120805202603

Cited by 59 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Technology training programs should also be structured to foster confidence in learning. Older adults often report the desire for more training to support their use of technology (Mitzner et al, 2008). We did not, however, find an age difference with respect to interest in computers.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

Attitudes Toward Computers Across Adulthood From 1994 to 2013

et al. 2018

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Technology affords potential benefits for older people, but lack of uptake in technology clearly puts older adults at a disadvantage in terms of negotiating today's digital world. This article provides insight into attitudinal barriers that may affect on technology uptake among older adults. The findings have implications for the design of technology training programs, design of technology systems, and policy.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

Attitudes Toward Computers Across Adulthood From 1994 to 2013

et al. 2018

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“…Clearly, the older adults in this study valued learning by face-to-face instruction with hands on learning. This is similar to earlier findings on learning preferences on how to use technology [40]. However, in this prior study, the top choice for learning was text (e.g., manuals) at 33% with one-to-one and trial and error (i.e., hands on) being significantly lower choices at 18% and 17%, respectively [40].…”

Section: Trainingsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…This was true for even those older adults without previous experience and/or low experience with technology who had difficulty with data entry issues. Thus, education and training are essential for older adults to successfully use navigational devices [42,43] as well as other technology [29,40] and this education will be most successful with hands on learning and practice with an actual device [27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of GPS for Older Adults to Decrease Driving Risk: Perceptions from Users and Non-Users

Dickerson¹

2020

Geriatrics

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Community mobility is important for social participation and quality of life. Thus, it is important to sustain older adults in their communities by supporting their ability to drive as long as possible. Use of global positioning system (GPS) technology may provide such support. This descriptive study examined 89 healthy community older adults’ perspective on using and programming a GPS after using it for wayfinding to unfamiliar destinations. Participants were equally divided between two age groups (60s, 70s) and familiarity with GPS (familiar, unfamiliar). The results showed age differences in problems following GPS directions and those who were familiar found it significantly easier to use. The majority of the unfamiliar group indicated an increased interest in using GPS and were significantly more interested in training to use a GPS. Preference for learning how to use a GPS included in-person delivery and practice with troubleshooting, using the menus and changing routes as topics critical for training. The implications of these results are discussed.

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“…The idea that family and friends may have an important role for technology adoption among older adults is fairly new [11]. There is evidence to suggest that older adults prefer learning technology skills from their informal networks, including children, grandchildren, and neighbors [12], and they particularly enjoy using technologies that improve communication with these networks [13]. However, little is known about the experience of the families providing technical support to their older adult loved ones.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Call a Teenager… That’s What I Do!” - Grandchildren Help Older Adults Use New Technologies: Qualitative Study

Portz¹,

Fruhauf²,

Bull³

et al. 2019

JMIR Aging

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Background Although family technical support seems intuitive, there is very little research exploring this topic. Objective The objective of this study was to conduct a subanalysis of data collected from a large-scale qualitative project regarding older adults’ experiences in using health information technology. Specifically, the subanalysis explored older adults’ experiences with technology support from family members to inform strategies for promoting older adults’ engagement with new health technologies. Although the primary analysis of the original study was theoretically driven, this paper reports results from an inductive, open-coding analysis. Methods This is a subanalysis of a major code identified unexpectedly from a qualitative study investigating older adults’ use experience of a widespread health technology, the patient portal. A total of 24 older patients (≥65 years) with multiple chronic conditions (Charlson Comorbidity Index >2) participated in focus groups conducted at the patients’ primary clinic. While conducting the primary theoretically driven analysis, coders utilized an open-coding approach to ensure important ideas not reflected in the theoretical code book were captured. Open coding resulted in 1 code: family support . This subanalysis further categorized family support by who provided tech support, how tech support was offered, and the opinions of older participants about receiving family tech support. Results The participants were not specifically asked about family support, yet themes around family assistance and encouragement for technology emerged from every focus group. Participants repeatedly mentioned that they called their grandchildren and adult children if they needed help with technology. Participants also reported that family members experienced difficulty when teaching technology use. Family members struggled to explain simple technology tasks and were frustrated by the slow teaching process. Conclusions The results suggest that older adults ask their family members, particularly grandchildren, to support them in the use of new technologies. However, family may experience difficulties in providing this support. Older adults will be increasingly expected to use health technologies, and family members may help with tech support. Providers and health systems should consider potential family support and engagement strategies to foster adoption and use among older patients.

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Older Adults' Training Preferences for Learning to Use Technology

Cited by 59 publications

References 13 publications

Attitudes Toward Computers Across Adulthood From 1994 to 2013

Attitudes Toward Computers Across Adulthood From 1994 to 2013

Use of GPS for Older Adults to Decrease Driving Risk: Perceptions from Users and Non-Users

“Call a Teenager… That’s What I Do!” - Grandchildren Help Older Adults Use New Technologies: Qualitative Study

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