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Inclusion of Older Adults in the Research and Design of Digital Technology

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  • Ittay Mannheim

    (School of Allied Health Professions, Fontys University of Applied Science, Eindhoven 5631 BN, The Netherlands
    Tranzo, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg 5037 DB, The Netherlands)

  • Ella Schwartz

    (Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
    Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva 8410501, Israel)

  • Wanyu Xi

    (Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel)

  • Sandra C. Buttigieg

    (Health Services Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2090, Malta
    Health Services Management Centre, School of Social Policy, College of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Mary McDonnell-Naughton

    (Department of Nursing and Health Care Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone N37 HD68, Ireland)

  • Eveline J. M. Wouters

    (School of Allied Health Professions, Fontys University of Applied Science, Eindhoven 5631 BN, The Netherlands
    Tranzo, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg 5037 DB, The Netherlands)

  • Yvonne van Zaalen

    (School of Allied Health Professions, Fontys University of Applied Science, Eindhoven 5631 BN, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Digital technology holds a promise to improve older adults’ well-being and promote ageing in place. However, there seems to be a discrepancy between digital technologies that are developed and what older adults actually want and need. Ageing is stereotypically framed as a problem needed to be fixed, and older adults are considered to be frail and incompetent. Not surprisingly, many of the technologies developed for the use of older adults focus on care. The exclusion of older adults from the research and design of digital technology is often based on such negative stereotypes. In this opinion article, we argue that the inclusion rather than exclusion of older adults in the design process and research of digital technology is essential if technology is to fulfill the promise of improving well-being. We emphasize why this is important while also providing guidelines, evidence from the literature, and examples on how to do so. We unequivocally state that designers and researchers should make every effort to ensure the involvement of older adults in the design process and research of digital technology. Based on this paper, we suggest that ageism in the design process of digital technology might play a role as a possible barrier of adopting technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Ittay Mannheim & Ella Schwartz & Wanyu Xi & Sandra C. Buttigieg & Mary McDonnell-Naughton & Eveline J. M. Wouters & Yvonne van Zaalen, 2019. "Inclusion of Older Adults in the Research and Design of Digital Technology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:19:p:3718-:d:272950
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kieran Walsh & Thomas Scharf & Norah Keating, 2017. "Social exclusion of older persons: a scoping review and conceptual framework," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 81-98, March.
    2. Greenhalgh, Trisha & Wherton, Joe & Sugarhood, Paul & Hinder, Sue & Procter, Rob & Stones, Rob, 2013. "What matters to older people with assisted living needs? A phenomenological analysis of the use and non-use of telehealth and telecare," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 86-94.
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    8. Sophie N. Gaber & Louise Nygård & Anna Brorsson & Anders Kottorp & Georgina Charlesworth & Sarah Wallcook & Camilla Malinowsky, 2020. "Social Participation in Relation to Technology Use and Social Deprivation: A Mixed Methods Study Among Older People with and without Dementia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-19, June.
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    11. Nicola Döring & Melisa Conde & Karlheinz Brandenburg & Wolfgang Broll & Horst-Michael Gross & Stephan Werner & Alexander Raake, 2022. "Can Communication Technologies Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older People? A Scoping Review of Reviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-20, September.
    12. Carmen Llorente-Barroso & Olga Kolotouchkina & Luis Mañas-Viniegra, 2021. "The Enabling Role of ICT to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Emotional and Social Loneliness of the Elderly during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    13. Richard Lombard-Vance & Evelyn Soye & Delia Ferri & Emma McEvoy & Malcolm MacLachlan & Sari Sarlio-Siintola, 2023. "Applying the ‘Human Rights Model of Disability’ to Informed Consent: Experiences and Reflections from the SHAPES Project," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-20, January.
    14. Sacramento Pinazo-Hernandis & Mauricio Blanco-Molina & Raúl Ortega-Moreno, 2022. "Aging in Place: Connections, Relationships, Social Participation and Social Support in the Face of Crisis Situations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    15. Joost van Hoof & Deirdre M. Beneken genaamd Kolmer & Erwin de Vlugt & Sanne I. de Vries, 2019. "Quality of Life: The Interplay between Human Behaviour, Technology and the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-7, December.
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