The Social Sustainability of the Use of Information and Communication Technologies by Frail Older People Ageing in Place Alone in Italy: Barriers and Impact on Loneliness and Social Isolation

Maria Gabriella Melchiorre, Marco Socci (), Giovanni Lamura and Sabrina Quattrini
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Maria Gabriella Melchiorre: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Marco Socci: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Giovanni Lamura: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Sabrina Quattrini: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-25

Abstract: Older people often report functional limitations and low digital skills, with the latter hampering the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and having potentially negative consequences on their social isolation and loneliness. Against this background, we present some findings from the “Inclusive ageing in place” (IN-AGE) study, carried out in 2019 in Italy. This study explored seniors’ abilities and difficulties with the independent use of mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets/personal computers (PCs). Qualitative/semi-structured interviews involved 120 seniors aged 65 years and over, living alone in three Italian regions (Lombardy, Marche, and Calabria). Purposive sampling was conducted, and quantitative/qualitative analyses were performed. The main results showed that smartphones and PCs/tablets were used by older respondents living mainly in the north and in urban sites to talk with family members and less for other functionalities (e.g., internet). Those more educated and without serious functional limitations were more capable of utilising ICTs. Seniors using ICTs reported mainly low/moderate loneliness and less social isolation. Therefore, technological tools have the potential to mitigate both, even though some barriers (e.g., poor health, low education) can hinder this opportunity. These results can offer insights for policymakers to design adequate policies (e.g., e-training programs) for seniors, to facilitate their inclusion in digital society, thus enabling social sustainability in an ageing population.

Keywords: frail older people; ageing in place alone; information communication technologies; educational level; functional limitations; loneliness; social isolation; social sustainability; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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