Computer Perspectives of Older Adults

1
Computer Perspectives of Older Adults

• Computer Survey Using Knowledge, Attitude, and
  Behavior of Older Adults by
  
• Cherie Green BSW, BA, MSE

2
Methods

• Sample frame was taken from 43 older adults who
  attended the Senior Expo at Illinois Centre Mall
  In Marion, Illinois
• Sampling was on a volunteer basis
• The sampling is non-probabilistic, and
  convenience and does not contain the same
  elements of selection as random sampling does.

3
Characteristics of Respondents(n43)
Age 32 55-64, 47 65-74 19 75-84, 2 85
Gender 33 male, 67 female

• Education
• 49 High
• school
• or less
• 28 Some
• college

• Race
• 91 white
• 9 black

18 4 year degree 05 Graduate degree
4
Characteristics, cont. (n43)

• Residents
• 5 live in a city of 50,000 or more
• 28 live in a city of 10,000-49,999
• 28 live in a town of 2,000-9,999
• 28 live in a township of less than 2,000
• 11 live outside of town or city limits

• This means that 67 live in or outside towns of
  less then 10,000

5
Reliability

• Reliability analysis scale (alpha) all items-
• Alpha.7800
• Reliability analysis scale (alpha) Attitude
  10 Items
• Alpha.5470
• Reliability analysis scale (alpha) Behavior 14
  Items
• Alpha.6081
• Reliability analysis scale (alpha) Knowledge
  10 Items
• Alpha.8568

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Attitude Table
7
Behavior Table
8
Knowledge Table
9
Attitude (Frequency Percent)
10
Attitude

• Majority of older adults believe that using a
  computer can give them independence
• Majority would also use it if it were
  inexpensive, with free services, training, and
  help.

11
Behavior Chart (means SD)
12
Behavior

• For most of the question about behavior, most
  older adults had no opinion
• There were only 4 they agreed on
• Computer is
• a good way to contact others/stay in touch with
  others
• Would use
• For E-Mail
• Shop or compare prices
• For medical information

13
Knowledge Correlations Chart
14
Knowledge Correlations

• According to the correlation chart there is a
  strong correlation between knowledge based
  questions 2,3,4,5,6,7
• According to the means table for knowledge
  questions most older adults have limited
  knowledge about computers, but know that classes
  are available and that there is health
  information available on the internet

15
Other Correlations

• Attitudes correlate between free Internet
  service, free or low cost computers, and training
  as an inducement for older adults to use a
  computer.
• According to this table there is a correlation
  between not knowing how to use the computer and
  not knowing how to use the Internet

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Conclusion

• From this study and others, it is evident that
  most individuals, including older adults, have
  thought about using the computer and the
  Internet. Today there is a much larger awareness
  of computers and its uses, especially on the
  Internet, than ten years ago.
• Study also reveals the importance of getting
  computer support at the touch of a phone.
• Older adults still have a limited knowledge of
  computers, and their uses.

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Recommendations

• More research using a larger population, and
  redeveloping test.
• Adding types of education older adults think
  would be helpful to learn the computer
• Including in education demographic under 9th
  grade.
• A central area for older adults to meet their
  computer needs and offer computer support
• A place where older adults can buy second hand
  computers at little or no cost