Brookdale’s director of strategic policy initiatives, christian gonzález-rivera, testified via Zoom before the New York City Council Committees on Aging and Technology, which held a joint hearing on January 22, 2021, on increasing older New Yorkers’ access to technology. Information for the testimony was drawn from our recent report on older adults and tech access.
On February 10, gonzález-rivera testified again, this time before the Committees on Aging and Immigration. He told the committees that older immigrants with the lowest levels of formal education are the largest single group of New Yorkers who lack internet access at home. Brookdale’s testimony presented some recommendations on how to invest in closing the digital divide for older immigrants.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that technology is an essential part of aging well, giving older adults access to telehealth, the ability to connect with friends and family, and the opportunity to meet basic needs like purchasing groceries. But the 474,000 New Yorkers age 60 and above who lack internet access at home have not been able to meet their needs online, and as such have been among the most isolated people during this pandemic.
One of the most important things the Council can do is to ensure that any city investments in expanding internet access also support programs and initiatives to help older adults get the skills and confidence they need to get online. Meaningful access to technology for older adults is a three-legged stool that includes access to appropriate devices, access to an internet connection, and the skills and tech support to thrive online. Many digital divide interventions focus on devices and connectivity, but without the skills part, most unconnected older adults would still not get online.
It is also important that social, cultural, and medical institutions have the capacity they need to help older adults connect to their programs and services remotely. This includes senior centers, hospitals and clinics, museums, public libraries, and more. In particular, federal, state, and local investments should support the capacity of New York City’s public hospitals and other safety net medical centers to help their older patients access telehealth. Our research found that many senior centers lack the equipment and staff capacity to help older adults get online.
Without these targeted investments, unconnected older New Yorkers stand to be further isolated as a result of the ongoing pandemic and will miss out on promising advances in telehealth. They are generally among the most disadvantaged, with the majority having lower income and lower levels of formal education, being less likely to speak English well, and more likely to live alone or with just their spouse.
The testimony in both hearings drew on a report Brookdale released on January 22, Meaningful Access: Investing in Technology for Aging Well in New York City.
