Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The elderly should be provided with tools that enable them to communicate better
with others and foster the fulfilment of relationships with new friends stimulating, in
this way, their sense of belonging in a social environment and reducing the sense of
isolation and exclusion.
Such an improvement can be obtained for example by introducing
videoconferencing systems, because image is a key factor in communicating with
others. Videoconferencing has the immediate benefit that elderly people can have
enhanced communication with others. There are also important positive side effects:
through a videoconference, the elderly not only will be able to see other people, but
since other persons will also be able to see them, it will also be an incentive to greater
personal self-care. Developments in this area should focus on communication systems
that take the users abilities and preferences with regard to hearing, vision, mobility, and
speech into account, i.e. system advances aiming for a compensation of respective
individual limitations.
Information as basis for active citizenship and cultural participation.
There is an
inverse correlation between age and the realization of social activities, except for
passive leisure activities such as watching television, which is the only social activity
that increases with age. This tendency shows that cultural activities are not extended to
include old people. However, participation in social life increases the quality of life, as
it leads to a better adjustment to real living circumstances. It is also an opportunity to
create and develop new abilities, knowledge and feelings. More developed activities
should allow seniors to be informed, to understand their environment, to organize
themselves and to play a positive role in activities.
Elderly people should be engaged in activities that interest them, are suited to their
needs, and allow them to apply their knowledge and skills. They should increase the
levels of awareness of the need to learn, change and discover new experiences. In this
way, attitudes towards participating in activities would change, reinforcing the role of
the elderly in the community also as contributing members of the society.
Activities in this area should be aimed at promoting voluntary activities, virtual
communities that motivates elderly to get together sociably to be informed about, and
involved in, the social activities of a city or town, etc.
Mobility - Going outdoors.
Mobility is essential for general independence and
ensuring good health and quality of life. For older people, mobility represents more
than having means of transport, but it is also a symbol of freedom, independence, self-
reliance and having some control of their life.
Mobility is more than merely moving from one place to another; it can benefit
elderly people in several ways. Having the possibility of travelling the elderly can reach
desired people or places. Psychologically, the movement in itself or “getting out”
induces feelings of independence and increases self-esteem. Finally, it can help elderly
people to become involved in more local community activities.
Although there is a tendency of seniors to move around in their own car, there are
numerous reasons to maintain and improve public-transport systems and raise the
awareness of alternative transport options among older people. However, using public
transport can be stressful for older people: ticket machines are often complicated to use
and there is a vast amount of customer information to take in.
Activities aimed at improving the mobility of the elderly can make public transport
more accessible:
