[The elderly on technology: usage ease of usage, interest and ascribed usefulness]

This article discusses an explorative survey conducted in the Netherlands among a group of 1099 older people (> 55 years) and a reference group of people (n = 174) younger than 55 years. The participants were asked to complete an extensive questionnaire and to indicate their experience and attitudes towards modern technical facilities. The results show that the elderly use technology less frequently compared with the reference group. Compared with the reference group there is also a delay in use of technology after the introduction. An important point is that although for many participants our sample the impact of various technologies on their lives is not as great as for the younger, working people, there is a wide range of knowledge and interest in technology. The attitudes of the elderly towards new and modern technology are positive, especially in the group of the 'younger elderly' (between 55-64 years). Due to the selective composition of the group under investigation, the results cannot be generalized to the Dutch population. Taking this methodological weakness into account, the results are interesting and indicate directions for follow-up research concerning ageing and technology.