Abstract
Digitalization is one of today’s megatrends, and the increased development and use of various digital services emphasize the importance of sufficient guidance, support, and digital skills. The purpose of this study was to describe factors that can lead to an increased possibility of digital exclusion of marginalized older people evaluated by gerontological social work professionals. The aim was to obtain knowledge for developing age-friendly digital literacy education for older people. The research was qualitative: data was collected from gerontological social work professionals (n = 23) through an open-ended electronic survey and analyzed by using inductive content analysis. Professionals considered that marginalized older people had personal difficulties reaching or adopting digital services with deteriorating cognitive and physical abilities, such as impaired functioning, a lack of motivation or fears, and missing equipment. The possibility of digital exclusion of older people can also be increased by external factors, such as a lack of support and counseling resources, and competence from professionals. Therefore, to be able to utilize digital services, marginalized older people need plenty of support from care workers which should be considered in the service time. In addition, the digitalization of services prevents marginalized older people from managing their own lives unnecessarily early. There is a need to develop facilitating services, and support for acquiring digital skills and advocacy.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Digital Health and Wireless Solutions |
Subtitle of host publication | 1st Nordic Conference, NCDHWS 2024, Proceedings, Part I |
Editors | Mariella Särestöniemi, Pantea Keikhosrokiani, Daljeet Singh, Erkki Harjula, Aleksei Tiulpin, Miia Jansson, Minna Isomursu, Mark van Gils, Simo Saarakkala, Jarmo Reponen |
Place of Publication | Cham |
Publisher | Springer |
Pages | 353-362 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-031-59080-1 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-3-031-59079-5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 5 May 2024 |
MoEC publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |
Event | Nordic Conference on Digital Health and Wireless Solutions 2024 - University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland Duration: 7 May 2024 → 8 May 2024 https://nordic-digihealth.com/ |
Publication series
Series | Communications in Computer and Information Science |
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Number | 2083 |
ISSN | 1865-0937 |
Conference
Conference | Nordic Conference on Digital Health and Wireless Solutions 2024 |
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Abbreviated title | NCDHWS 2024 |
Country/Territory | Finland |
City | Oulu |
Period | 07.05.2024 → 08.05.2024 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Digital exclusion
- Digitalization
- Marginalized older people
- Older people
- Social work professionals
Field of science
- Social work