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Abstract
The cost of caring for an aging population is a growing concern in many societies. Although information and communication technologies (ICTs) like computers and the Internet are seen as new tools which offer some potential to help, unfortunately older adults are generally the age group with the lowest level of skill and utilization of these technologies. Although nongovernmental organizations have attempted to address this digital gap, limited staff resources are a concern. One approach for generating additional staff to provide more technology training to older adults is a “peer-tutor” model. This study examined the perspectives of 101 technology peer tutors for older adults in a nonprofit program in Hong Kong. Topics included preparation and training, perceived benefits and challenges, side effects on their lives, the perceived value of their work as tutors, and suggestions for personal and program improvement. The influence of demographic factors was examined. Results show which tutors felt prepared for their roles, perceived considerably more benefits than challenges, saw value in their tutor work, and overwhelming plan to continue as volunteer tutors in this program. There were few differences linked with demographic variables. Implications for practice and for future research are considered.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the staff at Lek Lek Lo C for their work in organizing the focus groups in the first stage of this study, and Jolie Lam, Lisa Ho, and Rose Yu for their assistance in translating discussion in the focus groups. Christina Blaschke-Thompson (Michigan State University School of Social Work) provided assistance in data analysis. Rie Kobayashi (Eastern Washington University School of Social Work) and two anonymous reviewers provided helpful suggestions on earlier versions of this manuscript.