Technology and Quality of Life of Older People in Times of COVID: A Qualitative Study on Their Changed Digital Profile

Alicia Murciano-Hueso (), Antonio-Víctor Martín-García and Ana Paula Cardoso
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Alicia Murciano-Hueso: Faculty of Education, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Antonio-Víctor Martín-García: Faculty of Education, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Ana Paula Cardoso: CI&DEI, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: The situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic brought negative consequences such as social isolation, limited access to routine health and social care services, and lack of self-esteem, especially for older people. In this context, technology took on an important role as the main means of communication and service delivery. The main objective of this study is to analyze the situation of the elderly and their access to technological resources in the time of COVID-19. Based on a qualitative methodology, 58 semi-structured interviews were conducted with people between 65 and 90 years old in Portugal. The results reveal specific difficulties in the use of this type of digital devices and a change in the digital use profile of this age group, characterized by more frequent use of digital devices such as smartphones, the incorporation of certain services such as video calls, and uses associated with communication and entertainment. This study shows that attitudes toward technology among the elderly should be studied further, and these results should be considered to develop and implement training programs specially designed for this age group in order to contribute to their well-being and quality of life.

Keywords: elderly; technology; digital profile; quality of life; COVID-19; semi-structured interview; Portugal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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