Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Geriatric Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Research Center for Integrative Medicine in Aging, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3 Department of Health Education and Promotion, Health Faculty, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
4 Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, Iran
5 Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to explore the experiences and opinions of gerontologists regarding the barriers and gaps in applying technology to the daily lives of older adults in Iran.
Methods: This qualitative, thematic, and analytical study involved online semi-structured interviews with 11 students and graduates of gerontology in Iran. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. The open-ended questions focused on participants’ perspectives about barriers and gaps in technology use among Iranian older adults. Interviews were conducted from December 2022 to January 2023.
Results: Participants identified several benefits of technology use among older adults, including staying up-to-date, gaining independence, increasing self-confidence, understanding citizenship rights, reducing loneliness, and improving quality of life. They also emphasized the importance of addressing the psychological and social aspects of integrating technology into the lives of Iranian older adults. Moreover, barriers to technology use were classified into personal, technological, and socioeconomic factors.
Conclusion: Collaboration among gerontology specialists, technology developers, families of older adults, and the older adults themselves is vital for understanding their specific needs and preferences to optimize the localization strategies. Given the role of gerontology in enhancing older adults’ quality of life, policymakers in the health sector are recommended to consider expert insights and strategies to encourage greater technology adoption among this population.
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