Technology

The COVID-19 pandemic starkly revealed the lack of meaningful access to digital technology among community-dwelling older adults. Meaningful access requires four essential components: access to a device (e.g., computer, tablet, smartphone); access to internet adequate to their needs; education and training tailored to their needs; and ongoing support. Research clearly shows that people with less education, lower incomes, and fewer English language skills have the lowest level of meaningful access.

JASA, an agency serving more than 40,000 older New Yorkers across a range of services, has been working to enhance access to technology for its residents and clients. During the pandemic, JASA piloted six distinct technology-related programs. In collaboration with JASA, Brookdale undertook a study to understand which elements of these initiatives did or did not work before JASA tried to scale up these pilots into full programs. The research team surveyed and interviewed a range of participants about their experiences with the services.

Read the results:

Older adults’ experiences with using information and communication technology and tech support services in New York City: Findings and recommendations for post-pandemic digital pedagogy for older adults