Connecting Older Adults to the Digital World

Dear Colleagues,

The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the importance of the digital world in the lives of older adults, presenting a crucial tool for navigating contemporary society. Simultaneously, the growing population of senior citizens presents both a social phenomenon and a challenge for our societies, with technological advancements playing a pivotal role in connecting and enhancing the lives of older adults in various aspects. However, within current discussions surrounding technology, the human element is often overshadowed. Seniors are sometimes perceived as malfunctioning machines, with their limitations viewed as challenges to be overcome through technological solutions.

To address this issue, new perspectives are necessary, prioritizing the human experience. This shift in perspective allows us to acknowledge the complexities of the relationship between humans and technology, and to adapt technological advancements to better suit the needs of the older population. It is also important to incorporate emerging perspectives looking into digital inclusion and design, cultural models of ageing and technology, digital inclusion, media practices, ageing in place and data, technology paradoxes, feminist perspectives on care regarding relationality and reciprocity and more broadly, the mutual shaping of ageing and technology.

As these ideas and challenges continue to evolve in the context of older adults’ lives, several critical issues arise relating to how technology can promote the quality of life and healthy ageing in later life, and their intertwining with the market to generate and promote technology. These also include studies looking into the barriers to technology adoption and use, age-friendly marketplaces and the relationship consumers have with technologies. Papers looking at emerging technologies such as AI-technologies, personalized learning platforms, voice-activated assistants, virtual reality (VR) experiences, augmented reality (AR) assistance, telemedicine, social robots, wearable health monitors, smart homes for the elderly, accessible design innovations and transportation solutions are also welcome.

By adopting this human-centred approach and addressing these questions, we can better understand the evolving role of technology in the lives of older adults, ensuring it positively contributes to their overall well-being.

Dr. Bernardo Figueiredo
Dr. Jacob Sheahan
Guest Editors

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