Opinions of digital technology held by independent-living older people: a survey and generational comparison

Services delivered using digital technologies, including technology-enabled care services (TECS), have been proposed to help people age independently and well in their own homes. However, the uptake of digital services by older users appears uneven, suggesting that opportunities to assist people are being missed. A better understanding of older people’s attitudes towards digital technologies and TECS could help to address this issue. Evidence of the attitudes held by independent-living older people was gathered through a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of people aged 55 and over. The participants were residents of independent-living schemes and community-dwelling members of local communities. A total of 230 people completed the questionnaire. The participants’ responses were analysed in aggregate and in comparative terms, according to the ‘technology generation’ to which each participant belongs. The participants were generally positive about digital technologies and TECSs, which suggests that digital services play a role in supporting people in their ability to age well. Considering these results should aid in the development of effective TECS. However, participants also express misgivings about digital technologies; this was particularly marked in the case of the generation aged 75 and older. Generational differences suggest that different strategies are required that consider older people’s distinct opinions and experiences with technologies.