Factors Affecting Marginalized Older Peoples’ Digital Exclusion Evaluated by Gerontological Social Work Professionals

The purpose was to describe the possibility of digital exclusion of marginalized older people. The aim was to identify situations, in which it is difficult for older people to get or use digital services, and to use these in the development of age-friendly literacy education. The research was qualitative: data was collected from gerontological social work professionals (n=23) through an open-ended electronic survey and analyzed by using qualitative content analysis. The use of digital services decreases as functional capacity decreases. Marginalized older people with deteriorating cognitive and physical abilities had difficulties reaching or accessing digital services. Aging and sudden illness that causes functional problems causes inability to use digital services. The use of digital services by marginalized older people needs plenty of support from care workers, which should be considered in the service time. Insufficient resources to support the time for using services or systems complicated and prevented seniors from using digital services. 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, support for the acquiring digital skills and advocacy.

Keywords: Digitalization · Digital exclusion · Marginalized older people · Older people · Social work professionals