Assistive Technology Devices for the Oldest-Old: Maintaining Independence for the Fourth Age
User interface design needs to be revisited for our oldest members of society. The literature has shown that over the age of 70 increasing numbers of older people find it difficult to learn, and the rapid changes in technology and associated interfaces ma
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Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia [email protected], {keustace,oburmeister}@csu.edu.au
Abstract. User interface design needs to be revisited for our oldest members of society. The literature has shown that over the age of 70 increasing numbers of older people find it difficult to learn, and the rapid changes in technology and associated interfaces make it particularly difficult for our oldest citizens to partic‐ ipate in the digital age. Focused on aged care residents, this is a perspective paper, outlining the needs and suggesting avenues for research in this under researched population of technology users. Also explored in attempts to overcome digital exclusion are the assistive technologies that aid members of this fourth age, as well as their family and professional carers. Keywords: Assistive technology devices · Gerontechnology · Elderly · Fourth age · ICT · Digital divide - ageing - peer training - aged care - digital inclusion
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Introduction
The literature defines the elderly in stages: with the oldest-old being those in the 80+ age group [1–3]. Experiences of technology in this age-group, defined by [4, 5] as the fourth age, are considered in this perspective paper. The global population of elderly people is steadily increasing [6–12]. It is generally accepted that while innovations in technology are advancing rapidly, the elderly are increasingly unable to keep up [6, 13]. In particular, those in the fourth age, many of whom have not been exposed to technology in their home or working lives, are at a disadvantage as more and more daily tasks are performed electronically [14]. Access to informa‐ tion, resources and services is increasingly reliant on technology. Indeed, computer operating systems are frequently being changed and upgraded, ultimately resulting in a quite different computer experience, again leaving the older users at a disad‐ vantage when they are presented with an interface which is quite different to what they have learned and to which they have become accustomed. Given that relatively little work has been done in relation to technology use by the fourth age, this article’s main contribution lies in its exploration of how such citizens can better be included in the digital age. While this fourth age group of people are not averse to learning how to use technology [15], attempts to assist older people with training courses aimed at their level of expertise, have had varying degrees of success. As people age they become less mobile and less able to attend such courses. They also © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2016 Published by Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016. All Rights Reserved D. Kreps et al. (Eds.): HCC12 2016, IFIP AICT 474, pp. 25–33, 2016. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-44805-3_3
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experience increasing physical difficulties, including visual and motor coordination challenges. Advances in technology can lead to isolation and ultimately a digital divide [14]. There has been some research which investigates t
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