Improving Older People's Lives Through Digital Technology and Practices.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Explores the intersection of aging and technology through a diverse collection of international research.
• Highlights technology's potential to positively impact older adults' cognitive performance, physical and mental health, and daily activities.

Discussion:

• Identifies key barriers to technology adoption among older adults, including psychological factors (motivation, attitudes, privacy, trust) and social factors (learning curves).
• Emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration involving older adults as active participants in the research and development process.

Key Insights:

• Technology offers substantial benefits for enhancing the quality of life for the aging population.
• Psychological and social factors present significant challenges to widespread technology use among seniors.

Outlook:

• Recommends a co-developer model where older adults collaborate with diverse stakeholders to overcome adoption barriers.
• Suggests future research and development should prioritize inclusive design principles informed by end-user (older adults) experiences.