This week I was looking into the Austrian side of things. I was interested how many elderly are using technology in Austria. Based on a survey that was conducted by the Statistics Austria in 2023 the adoption of technology, specifically looking at the internet usage was around 53.8% for people that were aged 75 – 84 years old. [2]
More interestingly that internet use declines as age increases.
- 63.8% of 75- to 79-year-olds use the internet
- 42.8% of 80- to 84-year-olds use the internet
The study was also focusing on the attitudes of elderly Austrians towards new technologies and categorized two main groups: Communication and Entertainment and Support and Health. In this case the study was talking about Tablet, Smartphone, Social Networks and Voice-Controlled PC in the first category of Communication and Entertainment. The second category Support and Health contained technology (Devices) like Tracking Systems, Auto Fall Alerts, Personal Alarms and Auto Cookers. [2]
Support and Health Devices
As previously mention this category contains devices like Emergency Tracking Systems. Around 77% of elderly (50+) had a positive attitude towards one of these technologies in this category.
- 69% of elderly thought positive about the personal alarm systems
- 62% of elderly thought positive about the auto fall alerts
- 60% of elderly though positive about the tracking systems
This values indicate, like previously mentioned, that elderly are interested in technology if they see a clear benefit.
Advantages of using technology
Technology can enable the elderly to continue their daily life and be independent for as long as possible. [2]
- Support and Health Technology
- Safety Assistance: Let’s the elderly still life independently and still be save with devices like Auto Fall Alerts. [2]
- Maintain Health: With aging cognitive, physical and sensory impairments increase, this is where technology can improve mental and physical health. [1]
- Lessens Medical related travel problems: Technology can help assist elderly that have limited mobility or need to go to medical facilities regularly. [1]
- Technology in Communication and Wellbeing
- Technology can decrease loneliness and improve well-being. [2]
- Elderly that access to the internet are often socially more connected. [2]
- The use of ICT has a direct correlation to an improvement of Life Quality and Cognitive Function. [2]
What are ICTs?
ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. It is an umbrella term for a range of different devices, innovations and systems. ICT has the potential to significantly facilitate the daily lives of an aging population.
Next Steps: Technology Adoption Models
- Technology Acceptance Model
- Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Theory [1]
Sources
[1] Y.-Y. Yap, S.-H. Tan, and S.-W. Choon, ‘Elderly’s intention to use technologies: A systematic literature review’, Heliyon, vol. 8, no. 1, p. e08765, 2022.
[2] N. Halmdienst, M. Radhuber, and R. Winter-Ebmer, ‘Attitudes of elderly Austrians towards new technologies: communication and entertainment versus health and support use’, European Journal of Ageing, vol. 16, 12 2019.