The document discusses the integration of technology among seniors, identifying available apps and emphasizing the importance of educating healthcare providers to assist older adults in adapting to smart devices. It highlights the digital divide that affects seniors, the varying levels of technology adoption, and the benefits of technology in enhancing their independence and social inclusion. The document also provides examples of useful applications paired with the necessary support structures to bridge the gap in technology usage among older adults.

1. Seniors and Technology
Bridging the Digital Divide
Presenters:
Linda C. Summers, PhD, RN
Conni J. DeBlieck, DNP, MSN, RN
Jaclyn Simon-Kellerman, BSN, RN

2. Charles Darwin
It is not strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the
one that is the most adaptable to change.

3. Purpose
1) Identify apps available on smart devices for the elderly.
2) Educate health care providers, they can teach the elderly to use this
equipment and function well with the smart device.

4. Objectives
• Describe methods of technology advances for the older adults
• Discuss the digital divide and it’s implication for older adults
• Explore selected smart device applications for use with older adults
• Explore successful use of technology in the older adult population

5. What is Digital Divide
• The gap between different individuals, household, business, and
geographical areas at different social-economic levels with regard to their
opportunities to access information technology (IT) and their use of the
internet.
The Digital Access Project (2006). The Digital Divide. Retrieved
from www.digitalaccess.org

6. Digital Inclusion
•
•
•
•
Focuses on how information and communication technology affects individuals,
communities, and countries
Objective
•
Social inclusion
Strategy
•
Individual and community empowerment
Tools
•
Enabling technologies (computers, networks, software, the internet)

7. Digital Inclusion Assumptions
• Technology should combat social exclusion, not reinforce it
• “Access” is not about computers and the internet – it’s about social inclusion
and equity

8. Digital Inclusion Strategies
• Improve Access/Connectivity
• Develop content that is accessible, relevant and contextual
• Increase Technology Literacy
• Help groups and individuals use technology to do what THEY want to do,
address underlying social factors.

9. Critical Drivers of
Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Use
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
E-mails, Search, Maps
New
Access to social engagement “facebook” “youtube”
Educational use, online learning
Online transactions (travel, e-bay, banking, pharmacy, etc.)
E-government services (taxes, licenses)
Health information (Medicaid, part D, Exchange.gov)
Civic engagement & e-democracy
User generated content-blogs, websites, pictures

10. Older Adults and Technology
•
How do Adults 65 and over use technology?
•
Internet (50% use internet)
•
•
•
•
•
•
53% go online just for email
33% use Facebook or social media
•
18% daily
86% of internet users access email
•
48% daily
39% have broadband at home
Gadgets
•
•
•
69% have a mobile phone
11% use a tablet
8% use e-readers
Computers
•
33% own laptops
http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2012/8217/online-seniors-integrating-technology-into-theirliveshttp://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-9-3-technology-seniors/

11. Quiz…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do you check email at least 3X a day?
Do you Google for information at least 5X a day?
Do you use your mobile phone for more than one thing?
Have you turned over remembering to a technology device?
Do you shop online more than the mall?
Do you have a wireless network at home?
Do you “text” instead of calling?
Do you IM?

12. Digital Natives …
• Rapid access to information from multiple
sources
• Multi-tasking
• Multi-media over text
• Random access to information
• Networked interactions with multiple people
• Just-in-time learning
• Immediate rewards
• Relevant, useful, fun learning

13. Digital Immigrants …
• Controlled information access,
limited sources
• Doing one thing at a time
• Text
• Sequential information processing
• Independent work
• Deferred rewards
• Serious learners

14. Informal Learning Important
• Learning ecology
• Mobility make this possible
• Social networking
• Collaboration

15. Senior Immigrants
(speak with an accent)
• 1) Tech savvy or were in the next category but received
the help they needed. 2) Are open to tech adoption, but
need help. 3) Will never change or are unable to (health,
dementia, etc)

16. Tech Savvy
• Using technology for years
•
Bought an iPad, have a kindle, and email regularly
• Need to count on them to provide the assistance and guidance to the 2nd
category, which is by far the largest.
• Poster people of adoption, but are not the majority yet.
• Provide an example, peer influence, and peer support to the category 2
people.

17. Tech Adoptors
•
•
Technology was too complicated or expensive for many to adopt
•
•
•
•
That has changed though.
There are low cost internet providers specifically for senior housing (Silverfox)
There are easy to use devices (Tekins, Presto, iPad),
Training and support (every senior focused company knows this and provides it)
The only thing that stands in the way is a stakeholder to help guide them down this
path.
•
•
a community adding SilverFox or Telekins
the adult child that buys it for them.

18. Tech Avoiders/Unable
• The third category is one that we can’t do much about.
• Technology will help us to provide care for them and
• There are exceptions to the rule of course, but they won’t be the ones
adopting it on a regular basis in droves.

19. Persistent Barriers
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Limited technology literacy skills
Anxiety
Fear of technology tools
“Hard core resisters ”
Limited education, low literacy levels
Language & accessibility barriers
Irrelevant content
Affordable broadband services
Cost of entry (Hardware)

20. Why do Seniors need Assisted Technology
(AT)?
• Conditions associate with aging
•
•
•
•
Low-vision
Decreased hearing
Memory & Cognitive Loss
Physical Access

21. Mobile Devices
• Apps on mobile devices can have similar
features to AT
•
•
•
•
•
Organization and time management apps
(reminders, calendars)
Magnifiers and visions supports
Dictation software
Reading apps (text to speech, hi-lighting
features, font size changes, etc)
Leisure use (newspaper apps, games, “Face
time” or Skype)

22. Mobile Applications
“Apps”

23. Memory Aids and Physical fitness
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Clevermind (Free)
BugMe! Stickies ($1.99)
Find my iPad (Free)
Crosswords (Free)
Luminosity (Free)
StockFish (Free)
Art Gallery (Free)
Trivial Pursuit ($4.99)
Watch That! (Free)
Wii
Taiji for Seniors (Free)
Walkmeter ($4.99)

24. Adaptive Aids
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Siri (Free)
Magniscope (Free)
Big Calculator ($1.99)
My Script Calculator (Free)
Dragon Dictation (Free)
Penultimate (Free)
I-Pad assistive Devices (Settings - General - Accessibility)

25. Socializing and Staying in Touch
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dropbox (Free)
Postcards (Free)
Skype (Free)
Words with Friends ($4.99 )
Calendars
Easy Facebook for Seniors (Free)
Silver Surf (Free)
Facetime (Free)

26. Life Long Learning
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
AARP (Free)
iTunes U (Delete?)
TED Talks (Free) (Delete?)
BBC News (Free)
WeatherBug (Free)
iBooks: Kindle (Free)
NPR (Free)
Google Earth (Free)
Goodreads (Free)
Wikipanion (Free)
TV: ABC, NBC, CBS (Free)
Pandora (Free)
Podcast (Free)

27. Medication Management and Health Track
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pill Boxie
Rx Mind Me
My Medical
HeartWise Blood Pressure Tracker
WebMD
Med Reminder
Motion Doctor
MedWatcher – usefully and polished app for adults (free)
I-Triage

28. Safety
• GPS tracking devices
• PERS (personal emergent response system)
• Elder 911 and Elder 411 (for iphone)

29. Conclusion
• App can be used at all ages.
• There are different types of apps available for the
elderly.

30. Questions????

31. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
References
Anderson, J. (2013) Best ipad Apps for Senior Citizens. Retrieved from http://www.assistedliving.com/best-ipad-apps-for-seniors/
Fletcher, M., Anghilante, C., & Cliff, (2013) Assistive Technology for Older Adults Retrieved from http://www/atrc.colostate.edu
Lappin, J., (2011). Three Things Apple iPads Do Well For Seniors and the One Huge Error Its
Design Failed To Consider.
Retrieved from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joanlappin/2011/09/28/three-things-apple-ipads-do-well- for-seniors-and-theone-huge-error-its-design-failed-to-consider/
Pageonce Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pageonce-money-bills/id285056092
Electric Pockets. Bug Me! Stickies. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bugme!-stickies-pro-ink-notepad/id361195700
Find My iphone… Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-my-iphone/id376101648?mt=8
Lowenberg, Rich, Postcards Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/postcards-receiver/id504897244
Skype Communications S.a.r.l, Skype for iPad. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype-for-ipad/id442012681
Zynga Inc. Words With Friends HD Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/words-with-friends-hd/id364140796
Skymobius, Inc. Vtok Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vtok-google-talk-video-calls/id421102042
The Digital Access Project (2006). The Digital Divide. Retrieved from www.digitalaccess.org
WebMD for iPad Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/webmd-for-ipad/id373185673
Winston, S., Anderson, C., & Alford Jeffries, L., UTILIZING UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT DIGITAL DEVICES FOR TEACHING AND
LEARNING . Retrieved From http://iacis.org/ftpiis/Issue%202/248_iis_2013_34-38.pdf
Wooden Apps Production Med Reminder Pro Retrieved from
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/med-reminder-pro/id375644685
http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2012/8217/online-seniors-integrating-technology-into-theirliveshttp://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-9-3-technology-seniors/