Elderly and Technology

Abstract

The result of aging populations coupled with declining birthrates in much of the developed world has been termed the "silver tsunami." The elderly respond to contemporary technologies according to their comfort level and abilities, as well their needs. Technology plays an important role in helping the elderly to live longer and more independent lives. Consequently, workers are able to retire later, according to preference and financial necessity. Baby boomers leaving the workplace in expanding numbers and pursuing other interests, such as education and volunteering, is having effects on institutions and society.

Overview

Throughout the developed world, populations are living longer at the same time that birthrates have significantly decreased, creating what has come to be known as the "silver tsunami." David Walker, the head of the US Government Accountability Office from 1998 to 2008, is credited with being the first to call attention to this phenomenon when he announced in 2007 that the demographic changes taking place in the United States in the near future had the potential to create a tsunami capable of swamping the ship of state. In 2013, estimates from the Administration on Aging of the US Department of Health and Human Services suggested that Americans who reached the age of 65 could reasonably expect to live an additional 19 years. In 2008, Americans 65 and over made up 13 percent of the population. By 2030, 72 million Americans are expected to be 65 and over, comprising 20 percent of the total population.

Government officials at all levels have expressed concern about the fact that with less money being paid into programs such as Medicare and more seniors drawing from it, government agencies will be unable to meet budget requirements. In 2012, for instance, the operating cost of Medicare was around $997 billion. Operating costs are expected to climb to $1.96 billion by 2022. At least 80 percent of elderly Americans have at least one chronic health problem, and 69 percent have two or more (Comlossy & Walden, 2013). Alzheimer's disease, the fifth leading cause of death among the elderly, is a particular concern. As baby boomers continue to age, the number of Americans with chronic health problems and those with Alzheimer's are expected to rise. The Social Security trustees have raised alarms by suggesting that social security benefits will soon exceed tax revenues.

In 1960, Americans had a life expectancy of 69.7 years. By 2004, life expectancy had climbed to 77.9 years. Ten years later, it had risen to 81.94 years for females and 77.11 for males. Experts predict that one in every nine baby boomers will live to see 90, and 3,000,000 may reach the age of 100 (Hudson, 2008). Technology has become a means of helping the aging population remain healthier and retain their independence as long as possible. In the twenty-first century, technology has become so interwoven with aging that Joyce and Lee insist in a special edition of Sociology of Health and Illness (2010) that biology and machinery have been blended to keep aging bodies functioning.

Countries have dealt with the silver tsunami in various ways. Individuals are being encouraged to work longer, and many countries have raised the retirement age. Lifelong learning is encouraged and is seen as a way to keep seniors involved in life and to teach them about new technologies. Many seniors pursue education, returning to school or taking classes that interest them wherever they are offered. The decline in the birth rate began in the 1970s when the birthrate in the United States dropped to 1.7 children. That decline occurred in response to the introduction of more effective methods of birth control, such as oral contraceptives, and growing concerns about the possibility of depleting the earth's scarce resources. The trend in developed countries was toward parents producing only enough children to replace themselves in the population. At the same time that life expectancy increased and birthrates declined, women began to enter the workforce in increasing numbers. With women no longer at home to care for elderly family members and geographic distances between family members lengthening, the burden of care often shifted to society and away from families.

Sperry and Prosen (1996) have identified several myths associated with aging, including the perception that all elderly people are in poor health, that their mental abilities are declining, and that they are unproductive, unattractive, sexless, and essentially similar in nature. Contrary to such myths, the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, which began studying aging in 1958 and has continued to identify the characteristics of aging, suggests that no single pattern of aging exists. Myths concerning the elderly are inherent in fears that deal with the impact of the silver tsunami on other populations and on government resources. Joyce and Lee (2010) identify the biomedicalization of aging that has derived from the prevalence of anti-aging medications that prolong life and the rise of the gerontechnology industry that develop products specifically for the aging population.

In the 1960s, scholars began to take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding connections between humans and technology. Over the following decades, what came to be known as the "graying of America" took place in the United States as life expectancies rose. In response to growing discrimination against the elderly, gerontologist Robert Butler coined the term "ageism" in 1967. In 1993, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) was established to advance technology and promote research on issues related to aging. By 2014, membership had grown to 26,000 physicians, scientists, and other interested parties in 120 countries. Throughout the developed world, research centers devoted to the subject of aging have been established. Much of the research taking place at centers such as the Environmental Geriatrics Program at Cornell University, the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Center for Future Health at Rochester University involves developing new technologies for the elderly.

Further Insights

Healthcare for the aging population often focuses on assistive technologies that allow seniors to control their own living environments and interact with others. These technologies may be as simple as a guide light designed to turn on automatically in order to prevent falls or as sophisticated as smart floors that ar0065able to respond when a fall does occur. In a survey of the literature of assistive technologies for the elderly, Zwijsen, Niemeijer, and Hertogh (2011) identified three general categories and eight major themes that appeared in 4,550 database hits on the topic. Personal living environment issues involved privacy issues, autonomy or self-determination, and the ability to avoid feeling obtrusive in the presence of others. Issues involving interactions with the outside world focused on the stigma of dependence and the need for ongoing human contact with others. Issues discussed in the design and application of device category consisted of concerns about meeting individual needs, being able to afford devices required to maintain mobility and independence, and access to devices that promoted safety.

Digital Divide. Looking beyond assistive devices, some researchers are examining the ways in which senior citizens either take advantage of technology or ignore it. With the prevalence of smartphones and other cellular phones, texting has become ubiquitous in many populations. However, seniors are less likely to text than any other age group, either because they see no need for it or because they are viewed as incapable of doing so by younger generations (Ling, 2008). Even though home computing had become increasingly common in the final decade of the twentieth century, most older people began the twenty-first century without being active users of either the Internet or mobile devices.

In 2003, the Current Population Survey conducted by the Census Bureau revealed that Internet access tended to decline with age. The group most likely to lack computer access was the over-75 population, which was also the most likely group to suffer from debilitating conditions that were dependent on Medicare coverage (Wright & Hill, 2009). Major reasons cited for the lack of access were declining incomes that made it less likely that the elderly could afford computers or mobile devices and a lack of confidence in being able to use new technologies. Disabilities also made it more difficult for the elderly to use computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. Despite the lack of computer and Internet access, the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 made it essentially mandatory for Medicare recipients to access the Internet to discover information about available prescription plans in order to choose the one that best served their individual needs.

The tendency for the elderly to shy away from technology changed as the first baby boomers reached the age of 62 in 2008. Many baby boomers had already been exposed to technology on their jobs or through family members, friends, churches, and organizations. Even so, the elderly continue to be more likely to view mobile phones as a means to call for help than as a tool for conversation. In one study of mobile phone contact lists, it was revealed that while most people had an average of 80 friends, 14 family members, and 17 colleagues, elderly users reported only 13 friends, 8 family members, and 3 colleagues (Ling, 2008). Seniors are often uncomfortable with mobile phones because of problems with eyesight and dexterity that make manipulating small-screen devices and minute keypads difficult. However, Joyce and Lee (2010) object to claims that the elderly do not embrace technology. They insist that the elderly are technogenerians who use technology as long as it fits their own needs and lifestyles.

Workplace Issues and Retirement. Both governments and businesses are encouraging employees to retire later than in the past. Large numbers of retirees continue to work part-time in the same jobs or work part-time jobs in other fields. Older workers are more likely than younger workers to have chronic health conditions, which may cause employer health costs to rise. Older workers also tend to be less flexible about available working hours, ability to work overtime, and willingness to relocate. Numbers of older workers leaving the workforce against their inclinations due to ill health or disability rose during the economic recession of 2007–2009 as downsizing and bankruptcy sent many older workers into early retirement.

The impact of tens of millions of workers leaving the workforce at the same time continues to be described as seismic, and some fields are suffering from the loss of older workers' brain power and skills. On the other hand, organizations that depend on volunteers are being positively affected by the greater availability of seniors who have recently left the workforce, because those over 65 are twice as likely as others to engage in volunteer work. The willingness of earlier retirees to engage in menial volunteer work, however, is not expected to carry over to baby boomers, who tend to have higher levels of education and are more likely to retire from professional fields (Hudson, 2008).

Robert Hudson, a specialist in gerontological social work at Boston University, believes that the silver tsunami will not be as dramatic as predicted (2008). He points to the fact that many workers are remaining in the workforce after the traditional age of retirement, choosing to remain because of financial necessity, dependence on employee healthcare benefits, or simply because they enjoy working. Since the 1990s, the workforce has been steadily increasing, and Hudson contends that the workforce will not be as negatively affected by retiring baby boomers as previously predicted. He suggests that the brainpower involved in running businesses and organizations may be turned to solving national and civil problems as baby boomers retire.

Post-Retirement Higher Education. The aging of baby boomers is changing the field of higher education. Technological innovations, anti-aging medications, and increased attention to preventive health have meant that retirees are more likely to leave the workplace while they are still actively engaged in life than at any previous time in history. Many seniors see the post-retirement years as the "third age" of their lives (Cruce & Hillman, 2012), a time when they are free to pursue their own interests through returning to school, volunteering, taking up new hobbies, traveling, or pursuing new lines of work. At the same time that many older Americans are choosing to return to school, colleges and universities are witnessing a decline in enrollment among traditional college-aged students.

A number of states offer free or reduced tuition for seniors, but eligibility requirements vary from state-to-state. Most elderly students returning to school do not enter degree programs but choose to pursue only subjects in which they have a special interest. Studies have shown that the most likely seniors to pursue higher education are females, those who live in urban areas, those who have high income levels, and those who have already completed high school or some college (Cruce & Hillman, 2012). Some community colleges, continuing education centers, and businesses are courting seniors and designing classes to appeal to their interests. Other seniors are taking classes covering a wide range of subjects through government agencies, public libraries, professional associations, and community and religious organizations.

Discourse

New fields are appearing that are devoted to meeting the needs of the elderly. Geriatric care managers, for instance, are individuals trained to work with the elderly by administering responsibilities, such as managing finances, for those who are no longer able to perform such roles for themselves. Care managers may also take on responsibilities for home care, medical management, working with lawyers and government agencies on the client's behalf, communicating with family members, and locating housing options.

Developed countries throughout the world are dealing with the silver tsunami. In Australia, individuals 65 and over made up 14.1 percent of the population in 2014. That number is expected to reach 27 percent by 2050. In Singapore, the percentage of the elderly is expected to climb from 8.1 percent in 2014 to 20 percent in 2030. In Hong Kong, the 65 and over population comprised 14.4 percent in 2014 but was predicted to reach 24 percent by 2025. Nowhere is the silver tsunami considered more significant than in Japan, which has the largest percentage of individuals 65 and over of any country in the world. Almost one in four Japanese was in that age group in 2014. At that time, life expectancy was 87.99 years for women and 81.13 years for men. At the other end of the spectrum, Japanese women were giving birth to an average of only 1.4 children. Japanese officials paid little attention to its aging population until the 1980s when the "zero bedridden" campaign was launched, and seniors were encouraged to turn to occupational therapists instead of retiring to their beds and necessitating care giving from their families and society. The government also created the Gold Plan in which government agencies worked with both profits and non-profits to provide services for seniors (Long, 2012).

In 2000, Japan instituted a long-term insurance care system modeled after that already in use in Germany to serve the needs of this vulnerable population. Products were developed using both high and low technology. "Silver" technologies available in Japan include hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, portable toilets, hearing aids, and grab bars. By the twenty-first century, Japan had turned its technological expertise to meeting the needs of the elderly, and products were designed specifically for the "silver market." "Silver Centers" were established to provide part-time work for seniors who were able to continue working. Wheeled walkers with seats became known as "silver cars."

Terms & Concepts

Ageism: Form of discrimination that usually targets older people. It is most often used to describe workplace or hiring discrimination in which older workers are perceived as less capable or productive, but it is also used to describe what has been called the "invisibility" of the elderly in modern society. Older workers' job performance may be impacted by lack of familiarity with and training on new technologies, thus giving less experienced but more tech savvy younger workers a perceived edge in the workplace.

Assistive technology: Products designed to promote health and independence in the elderly by improving mobility, compensating for impairments, and ensuring safety.

Baby boomers: The segment of the population born between 1946 and 1964 during a surge in population in the post-World War II years. In the United States, the peak of the baby boom occurred in 1957 when the birthrate reached 3.7 children.

Geriatric care managers: Individuals who are certified to work with the elderly and help them perform activities they are no longer able to do for themselves, such as managing finances and addressing healthcare and legal matters.

Gerontology: Multidisciplinary field devoted to studying the elderly and meeting their needs.

Medicare: U.S. program of health insurance for the elderly that is funded by payroll deductions contributed over the course of an individual's working life. Thus, payments are based on earnings. Non-working wives and widows may draw from spouses' contributions.

"Silver" technology: Term used in Japan to describe technology and products that specifically target the elderly.

"Silver Tsunami": Trend occurring in developed countries that refers to low birth rates and increased life expectancy leading to expanding populations of individuals 65 and over. The impact of this occurrence is believed to be capable of hitting governments, business, and society with tsunami-like force.

Technogenerians: Term that refers to older individuals who accept technology and adapt it to their own needs.

Bibliography

Atoyebi, O., Stewart, A., & Sampson, J. (2015). Use of information technology for falls detection and prevention in the Elderly. Ageing International, 40(3), 277–299. Retrieved December 7, 2016 from EBSCO Online Database Sociology Source Complete. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sxi&AN=108951672&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Comlossy, M., & Walden, J. (2013). The Silver Tsunami. State Legislatures, 39(10), 14–19. Retrieved March 22, 2015 from EBSCO Online Database Education Research Complete. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=93305811&site=ehost-live

Cruce, T., & Hillman, N. (2012). Preparing for the Silver Tsunami: The demand for higher education among adults. Research in Higher Education, 54(6), 593–613. Retrieved March 22, 2015 from EBSCO Online Database Education Research Complete. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=77872702&site=ehost-live

Hudson, R. (2008). Boom or bust? Economic and political issues of the graying society. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

Irving, P. (2014). The upside of aging: How long life is changing the world of health, work, innovation, policy, and purpose. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Joyce, K., & Lee, M. (2010). A sociological approach to aging, technology, and health. Sociology of Health & Illness, 32(2), 171–347. Retrieved March 22, 2015 from EBSCO Online Database Academic Search Complete. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=48193311&site=ehost-live

Ling, R. (2008). Should we be concerned that the elderly don't text? Information Society, 24(5), 334–341. Retrieved December 23, 2014 from EBSCO Online Database SocINDEX with Full Text. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=34506471&site=ehost-live

Long, S. (2012). Bodies, technologies, and aging in Japan: Thinking about old people and their silver products. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 27(2), 119–137. Retrieved December 23, 2014 from EBSCO Online Database SocINDEX with Full Text. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih&AN=77331153&site=ehost-live

Sperry, L., & Prosen, H. (1996). Aging in the twenty-first century: A development perspective. New York, NY: Garland.

Wright, D., & Hill, J. (2009). Prescription for trouble: Medicare part d and patterns of computer and Internet access among the elderly. Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 21(2), 172–186. Retrieved December 23, 2014 from EBSCO Online Database SocINDEX with Full Text. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih&AN=37223218&site=ehost-live

Zwijsen, S. A., Niemeijer, A. R., & Hertogh, C. M. (2011). Ethics of using assistive technology in the care for community-dwelling elderly people: An overview of the literature. Aging and Mental Health, 15(4), 419–427. Retrieved December 23, 2014 from EBSCO online database SocINDEX with Full Text. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih&AN=60040913&site=ehost-live

Suggested Reading

Burdick, D., & Kwon, S. (Eds.). (2004). Gerontechnology: Research and practice in technology and aging. New York, NY: Springer.

Kwon, S. (2016). Gerontechnology: Research, practice, and principles in the field of technology and aging. New York, NY: Springer Publishing.

Niehaves, B., & Plattfaut, R. (2014). Internet adoption by the elderly: Employing IS technology acceptance theories for understanding the age-related digital divide. European Journal of Information Systems, 23(6), 708–726. Retrieved March 22, 2015 from EBSCO Online Database Education Research Complete. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=99074075&site=ehost-live

Shelton, B. E., & Uz, C. (2015). Immersive technology and the elderly: A mini-review. Gerontology, 61(2), 175–185. Retrieved March 22, 2015 from EBSCO Online Database Academic Search Complete. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=101313997&site=ehost-live

Sokolovsky, J. (2009). The cultural context of aging: Worldwide perspectives (3rd ed.). Westport, CT: Praeger, 2009.

Zejda, D. (2014). Constructing consumers' mental models: Towards technology-rich products tuned for the needs of the elderly. International Journal of Management Cases, 16(2), 4–16. Retrieved March 23, 2015 from EBSCO Online Database Business Source Complete. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=97489520&site=ehost-live