PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF TECHNOLOGY USE IN US COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS
2024

Technology Use Among Older Adults

Sample size: 5512 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Peng Wenting, Luo Yuqian, Liu Minhui

Primary Institution: University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States

Hypothesis

How many and how older people currently use technology remains unknown.

Conclusion

The study found that a significant portion of older adults use technology, but many still do not.

Supporting Evidence

  • Over 1.3 million older people did not use any information and communication technology devices.
  • The weighted prevalence of everyday technology use was 83.3%.
  • The weighted prevalence of digital health technology use was 52.1%.
  • Older adults using digital health technology were more likely to be younger and healthier.
  • Age, education, income, and a diagnosis of dementia were associated with technology use.

Takeaway

Most older people use technology, but some still don't. Younger, healthier, and more educated older adults are more likely to use digital health technology.

Methodology

Cross-sectional data analysis using design-based logistic regression models.

Participant Demographics

Community Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older.

Statistical Information

P-Value

All P< 0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI, 82.1%-84.5% for everyday technology use; 95% CI, 49.5%-54.7% for digital health technology use.

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2564

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