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Published on: February 13, 2020
Technology use by rural and urban oldest old
James F Calvert1, Jeffrey Kaye, Marjorie Leahy
1Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Cascades East Family Medicine, Klamath Falls, OR, USA. calvertj@ohsu.edu
Summary
Technology use is common among the oldest old living independently. However, factors like cognitive impairment, socioeconomic status, education, and location (urban vs. rural) influence device adoption and usage patterns.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Sociology of Aging
Background:
- Technological advancements aim to support aging in place for older adults.
- Understanding technology adoption among the elderly is crucial for effective design and deployment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence and patterns of electronic device usage among community-dwelling oldest-old individuals (age 85+).
- To identify factors influencing technology use in this demographic, particularly comparing urban and rural settings.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 306 non-demented individuals aged 85 and over.
- Participants were drawn from both a rural aging study (Klamath Exceptional Aging Project) and an urban cohort in Portland.
Main Results:
- Televisions, microwave ovens, and answering machines were the most frequently used devices.
- Mild cognitive impairment was associated with lower device usage.
- Higher socioeconomic status and education correlated with the use of more complex devices.
- Urban residents demonstrated higher usage of most devices compared to rural residents.
Conclusions:
- Technology adoption is prevalent among very old, community-dwelling individuals.
- Significant disparities in technology use exist between elderly individuals in urban and rural environments.
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