[Framework conditions and conditions for success of digital education and participation in geriatric care facilities]

The proportion of older people in Germany is steadily increasing; by 2030, around one third of the population will be over 60 years old. Education and digital literacy are essential for their participation but many institutions lack WLAN and a digitalization strategy.

The DiBiWohn project investigated the framework conditions and success factors that enable digital education offers through volunteer technical and digital support in various geriatric care settings.

As part of an evaluation, eight project staff members were interviewed in guided expert interviews about their experiences in the implementation. This was supplemented by six interviews with facility managers from inpatient and outpatient geriatric care facilities. The evaluation was carried out using qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.

Openness, motivation and support from facility management have a decisive influence on the success of technical and digital support. Obstacles include a lack of WLAN, inadequate end devices, staff shortages and low technical affinity. In assisted living, greater autonomy and peer-to-peer concepts enable more successful implementation, while in inpatient facilities, structural and health limitations pose greater challenges.

Digital education processes in geriatric care require a suitable technical infrastructure, qualified technical support and institutional backing. The results underscore the need for flexibly adapted context-sensitive concepts that take the different conditions and needs of residents in various geriatric care settings into account.