Meaningful Access: Investing in Technology for Aging Well in New York City
For further information, please contact
christian gonzález-rivera
cg3017@hunter.cuny.edu
As the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person services in New York City in 2020, internet access for older adults suddenly became vitally important. With this in mind, Brookdale undertook research including a review of literature on how older adults adopt technology; a demographic analysis of unconnected older adults in New York City; and interviews with service providers and experts. Synthesizing this research, Brookdale provided recommendations on how investments in closing the digital divide can reach older adults.
More than 400,000 older New Yorkers do not have access to the internet at home. Older adults without home internet access often have a high school education or less and a low income; they are also more likely to be immigrants.
For older adults, the question of why to use technology is just as important as how. Investments in closing the digital divide that are targeted to older adults must address older adults’ particular needs.
Brookdale’s report:
Meaningful Access: Investing in Technology for Aging Well in New York City
Related content:
Op-ed by gonzález-rivera and New York City Council member Gale Brewer:
Universal Tech Support, especially for seniors
City Council testimony from Brookdale’s director of strategic initiatives, christian gonzález-rivera:
Digital literacy for older adults will require innovative programming