Attitudes Towards and Limitations to ICT Use in Assisted and Independent Living Communities: Findings from a Specially-Designed Technological Intervention

Abstract

Much literature has been devoted to theoretical explanations of the learning processes of older adults and to the methods of teaching best utilized in older populations. However, there has been less focus on the education of older adults who reside in assisted and independent living communities (AICs), especially with regards to information and communication technology (ICT) education. The purpose of this study is to determine whether participants' attitudes and views towards computers and the Internet are affected as a result of participating in an eight-week training program designed to enhance computer and Internet use among older adults in such communities. Specifically, we examine if ICT education specially designed for AIC residents results in more positive attitudes towards ICTs and a perceived decrease in factors that may limit or prevent computer and Internet use. We discuss the implications of these results for enhancing the quality of life for older adults in AICs and make recommendations for those seeking to decrease digital inequality among older adults in these communities through their own ICT classes.

Acknowledgments

The project described was supported by Award Number R01AG030425 from the National Institute on Aging. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Aging or the National Institutes of Health.

Notes

Note. Respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with the above statements (4 = strongly agree, 0 = strongly disagree). Lower scores indicate more positive attitudes towards computers (except for “I can make the computer do what I want it to,” wherein a higher score indicates a more positive attitude—this item was later reverse coded for the creation of a summed overall scale). Summed scale α = .847.

Note. Respondents were read the above statements regarding reasons that might limit or prevent computer and/or Internet use. Respondents were asked to indicate if the above statements applied to them. Scores were recoded such that 0 = no and 1 = yes.

Note. Descriptives for continuous measures are expressed as means with standard deviations. Descriptives for nominal measures are expressed as percentages and indicate what proportion of the group has that particular attribute.

*Due to some participants' refusal to answer questions regarding socioeconomic status, the percentages for this variable do not add up to 100%.