– We challenge a pretty strong and widespread notion that new technology and care recipients over 80 years did not belong together, says Professor Anne Moen.
While technology is becoming an increasingly larger and more important part of life for most people in society, one knows today very little about technology use among those who are 80 years or older.
– There is a widespread perception that technology is difficult for this group, and all statistics we have about technology use going forward to 79 years, says Professor Anne Moen, the Institute for Society and Health, University of Oslo, ABC News.
In two different studies, she and her colleagues sought to determine whether the elders have interest, joy and benefits of using tablets.
On Saturday she presenting lessons they have done so far, at a seminar on “The digital patient” under the auspices of the University of Oslo.
Professor Anne Moen at the University of Oslo researcher use of technology among the oldest in the community. Photo: University
In the first project, ACTIVE, stuffed researchers tablet with a choice normal apps.
They gave older training in the use of portable tablets and watched how they used them.
– In this project we would find out what it takes to get seniors to adopt new technology, and investigate whether tablets are easy enough for them.
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Youth helped the older
– We went to the AppStore to see what could be applicable. We were particularly looking for apps that could be used in terms of social contact and diet.
This was not randomly selected themes, explains Moen.
– Enjoyment and health are equally vulnerable in the older population among the youngest. And we see that if you begin to feel uncomfortable, so reduced activity and you start eating less.
Apps like Skype (communications with video calls, conference calls and messages) and iMessage (messaging) and e-mail , newspaper and TV apps were downloaded to portable tablets.
– We began to experiment with these to understand how this group would use tablets.
Anyone who was involved in the project, received follow. In two of the four municipalities that were involved, Bærum and Ullensaker, got scientists themselves youngsters that came up and helped the elderly with tablet usage.
– It worked well, it was easier for them to ask youngsters than academics, Moen says.
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– Challenged itself
The conclusion of the project is that most older that access the tablet, with training and someone to ask, often using the new technology.
– Users had the great pleasure of it. They challenged themselves, Moen says.
She tells of a user who had never used computer before, which eventually had regularly iMessage contact with his family. Others used Skype very actively to maintain contact.
– We saw that they pursued their own interests, whether it was music, television shows they could see when it suited them or genealogy. We also had a few that took Implement e-citizen services. One of those who were most skeptical when we started the project, said, “Now I am ready for online banking,” says Moen.
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App malnutrition
When the researchers searched for existing dietary apps, they found, however, nothing that matched. In a new project, appetite, they work therefore developing an app that will help seniors with their diet.
– Diet is a challenge, when it is failing with food getting older much health problems. Fall Tendency increases and they are more susceptible to infections, because they get weaker immune system. They become more vulnerable and less orcs explains Moen.
– The aim is that the app will help to prevent malnutrition. We’ve tried it on 12 users so far, and received good advice on what we should do next, she continues.
Four things are central to the app:
- Organize meals, allowing the user eat enough during the day.
- Encourage with tips on specific dishes, so the user has something to choose from and get some variety in your diet.
- Reports and visualize what the user has eaten.
- In addition, it added up to a form of social function.
– It may be sad to sit and eat alone. We look at ways we can make one or another form of social community. For example, we proposed Skype conference. It has not been so great mood, but some think it is fine to use Skype.
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Meetings skepticism
appetite study is still ongoing. App developed and will be tested on a larger user base in Oslo and Tvedestrand autumn. Then shall be tested by the elderly who are users of home care, to determine whether it can be useful both for those who receive and those who provide care.
– This is so we challenge a pretty strong and widespread notion that new technology and recipients of municipal nursing and care, which is over 80 years, does not belong together.
– After completing ACTIVE project we know more about what it takes for seniors to use tablets and apps. Now we need to find out what it takes for those involved with municipal nursing and care should see the benefit of this, says Moen.
She says that they face what she calls healthy skepticism.
– It is important and we must focus on it before we proceed. For us to succeed, several positive forces pulling in the same direction, she said.
So far, the project has not scientists involved the families, but some participants have chosen to do it. Moen explains that they are going to cooperate with relatives in further work on appetite. She believes they will also benefit from the app.
The aim is that the app will eventually be made available to anyone who wants to use it.
– If the app is successful and we believe it is, only we get to work on it, so we’ll make it widely available, the professor says.
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– Demanding, but it’s pointless
Most seniors who have participated in the two projects so far, had no or very little experience with data. Few had seen a tablet before the experiment but with customized training they have begun.
– We have made some one-to-one introduction. It is a demanding group, we need to use some other words and concepts and other metaphors to explain how the technology works. But when one comes across the threshold, and the elderly dare to touch and realize that they can not do anything wrong, so using the tablet and have enjoyed it.
– There were many as the beginning of the project said that they thought they would get it, but decided to try anyway, and now really glad they did it. They’ve got new ways to keep in touch with friends and family.
She believes tablet form and function fit this group well.
– The tablet is easy, there is only one gizmo they must adhere to, and they can take it around, says Professor Anne Moen to ABC News.
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