Technology use provides tangible support and improves the well-being of older adults, addressing the challenges posted by population aging. Although previous efforts have focused on increasing financial availability and improving physical design factors to foster older adults’ technology acceptance and usage, these efforts have fallen short, and older adults still exhibit low acceptance and usage of technology. To overcome these barriers, this program aims to integrate psychological practices into an intergenerational intervention to promote older adults’ digital skills. In the first stage of this program, 20 Hong Kong older adults were paired with 20 younger adults to participate in an intergenerational intervention. Recognizing the lack of digital navigation skills as a potential barrier to older adults’ outdoor mobility and social engagement, we incorporated learning digital navigation skills using Google Maps as key scenario in the program. Additionally, the program included four intergenerational activities that utilized gamification elements and incorporated various navigation skills, such as identifying signs, locating specific places, and designing routines. Older adults’ attitudes toward technology and well-being were measured before and after the intervention. Their familiarity with digital navigation skills was measured during the four intergenerational activities. Our results revealed improvements in older adults’ familiarity with digital navigation skills. Moreover, the intergenerational intervention increased older adults’ willingness to learn new skills and promoted their well-being. The results suggest that intergenerational interaction can motivate older adults’ technological acceptance and usage. This can guide the development of effective interventions and has policy and practical implications for addressing the digital divide.

Authors:
Helene H. Fung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Hongmei Lin, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Hongmei Lin is a PhD student in the Department of Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

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