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ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 14 > Iss. 3 (2026)

 

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Alicia Jones, Ph.D., OTRL; Joseph Scazzero, Ph.D.; Rosanne DiZazzo-Miller, Ph.D., OTRL, BCG, FAOTA

Abstract

Background: It is fundamental to understand why older adults choose and use technology to fully understand how to meet the needs of an aging population in a technologically advanced society. This research aimed to design and implement a holistic technology training program for older adults that explores using a laptop beyond basic internet use.

Method: A pre-post mixed-method survey study took place at a local senior center. A classroom-style program was designed to deliver information and instruction using a digital device. An 11-item survey on attitudes toward technology using a 7-point Likert scale with qualitative responses was used to collect data.

Results: The class of fifty-nine community-based participants 58 to 84 years of age demonstrated a significant increase in excitement when using technology (p < .001) and participation in leisure activities that require technology (p < .01). Additional findings revealed increased confidence in using a phone for day-to-day tasks and using email to communicate.

Conclusion: Increased excitement and confidence can encourage continued use and active engagement with other technology-based applications. Further, the results of this study can potentially negate the existing categorization that older adults lack the ability and motivation to involve themselves in an advancing technological society.

Comments

The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.

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