Exploring Elder Consumers Interactions With Information Technology

Abstract

Advances in health care are enabling the population of the United States to live longer.  Use of information technology can improve the quality of life for the elderly, yet many older consumers have limited interactions with information technology and so may be denied its potential benefits for enhancing quality of life.  This study explores older peoples’ current interactions with information technology, details personal and technological factors which may impact engagement, and discusses the resulting sociological and commercial implications for encouraging the elderly to embrace information technology toward enhancing quality of life.