61. A Study on Elderly Individuals’ Attitude Towards ICTs

Due to increasing life expectancy, there has been an unprecedented increase in the population of elderly individuals (age 55 and above). Studies have revealed that the lifestyle of such elderly individuals has changed with the advent of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Though the use of ICTs by elderly individuals has elevated and it is widely perceived that elderly individuals have various potential benefits by the use of ICTs, they face barriers and challenges while adopting to newer technology. There is a difference in the need and ability of elderly individuals in the context of technology. Studies have revealed that elderly individuals have been overlooked during the development of products or services due to focus on younger adults as the main demography. This shift in demography has created a need to study the major factors that affect the usage and adoption of technology by elderly individuals which might help while designing technology and services for elderly. A modified questionnaire was administered on both the age groups: young-old (55–65 age) and old-old (65–75 age) (Age groups in american society and the rise of the young-old. Ann Am 315 Acad Polit Soc Sci 415(1):187–198, 1974, [1]). The main objective of the study was to identify the factors that affect the use of ICTs by older adults and the barriers they face while adopting to technology.