1 Institute for Gerontology and Demographic Development, UMIT - The Health and Life Sciences University, Austria
2 Department of Gerontology, Akdeniz University Antalya, Turkey
*Corresponding author: Martin Pallauf, Senior Scientist, Institute for Gerontology and Demographic Development, UMIT - The Health and Life Sciences University, Eduard Wallnoefer Zentrum 16060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
Submission: March 07, 2018; Published: May 23, 2018
ISSN 2578-0093Volume3 Issue3
The interaction of elderly people with technology is not a modern-day phenomenon. Man has always been interested in technical devices. In today‘s age of digitalization, however, this relationship is taking on new significance. From the view point of elderly people, not only digital technical support possibilities need to be considered, but also analog devices as these are often more easily accessible. The present article analyzes the interaction of elderly people and technology in relation to the following categories: communication, mobility, convenience, leisure and play as well as work. For each of these categories, technical aspects are presented, critically analyzed and complemented with philosophical thoughts. Next, a project is presented where these aspects have been implemented in practice. Elderly people were provided with technical support possibilities based on their needs and wishes. Their experiences and the operation of these devices were evaluated for a one-year test period. The synthesis addresses the individualization of technical solutions and the relation to `man as subject´. It also focuses on aspects like the power of technology or pursues the question whether it makes sense to use it. Finally, it is being discussed, in how far a process of adaptation to technology is sensible and necessary for elderly people and what will be the effect.
Keywords: Human technology interaction; Gerontology; Ambient assisted living