Empowering Older Adults: Incorporating Technology for Retirement Adjustment

Abstract

Aims: This research project targeted the immersion of older adults with the use of technology to increase social participation and access to meaningful online information. Methods: A one-hour iPad/iPhone training course was implemented each week for seven weeks. Training sessions were multi-modal and included live demonstrations with step-by-step instructions, small group discussions, handouts to reference learning, and the use of a motivations-based occupational profile. Results: Outcomes in measures across all concepts were significant. Data corroborated showed that older adults were highly motivated to engage with new technologies, preferred certain features and learning styles, and had the capacity to retain novel information. Conclusions: Tailored training programs can offer new ways to engage older adults with technology. The researchers recommend a community-based model that offers older adults diverse modes of adjustment to retirement among the rapidly changing social and virtual contexts.

Keywords:

• Client-centered
• community-model
• iPads
• iPhones
• occupational therapy
• retirement adjustment
• socialization
• technology
• training course

Acknowledgment

We wish to acknowledge the staff and residents of Leisure World Seal Beach, CA for their help and participation in this research study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.