Behavioral and Social Sciences

Understanding and Supporting Technology Equity and Access for the Benefit of Aging Adults

Chair(s)

• 

  Walter Boot, PhD, FGSA (he/him/his)

  Professor
  Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
  Weill Cornell Medicine
  Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States

Co-Chair(s)

• XL

  Xin Yao Lin, PhD (she/her/hers)

  Postdoctoral Fellow
  Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
  Weill Cornell Medicine
  New York City, New York, United States

Discussant(s)

• 

  Jane Chung, PhD, RN, FGSA (she/her/hers)

  Associate Professor
  Family and Community Health Nursing
  Emory University School of Nursing
  Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• 

  Melissa Hladek, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC

  Assistant Professor
  School of Nursing
  Johns Hopkins University
  Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, United States
• 

  Shannon Mejia, PhD, FGSA

  Associate Professor
  Department of Health and Kinesiology
  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  Urbana, Illinois, United States
• 

  Ladda Thiamwong, PhD, RN, FAAN. FNAP

  Professor and Florida Blue Endowed Professor for Healthy Communities
  College of Nursing
  University of Central Florida
  Orlando, Florida, United States
• SZ

  Shenghao Zhang, PhD (he/him/his)

  Postdoc
  Medicine
  Weill Cornell Medicine
  New York City, New York, United States

Despite advancements, a significant "digital divide" persists, with older adults lagging in technology ownership, use, and proficiency compared to younger individuals. This session examines the digital divide's causes, impacts, and solutions for aiding older adults. Melissa deCardi Hladek, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC, proposes a personalized, values-driven intervention to enhance digital literacy among older adults, focusing on overcoming access and connectivity disparities, especially in communities of color, to foster inclusion and better health outcomes. Shannon Mejia, PhD, FGSA, investigates the emotional dynamics of older adults interacting with smart devices, such as voice assistants, and how these interactions are affected by other smart elements like fireplaces. Li Chu, PhD, highlights the importance of aligning technological information with age-relevant motivations, indicating that a focus on emotional meaning could boost older adults' engagement with new technologies. Ladda Thiamwong, PhD, RN, FAAN, introduces the PEER intervention, a technology-based program aimed at preventing falls in low-income older adults through physio-feedback and peer-led exercises, emphasizing its role in transforming fall risk perceptions. Finally, Shenghao Zhang, PhD, questions the link between cognitive decline and the digital divide, suggesting that the relationship between age, general fluid abilities, and technology proficiency is more complex, offering new perspectives on technology learning and usage among older adults. Jane Chung, PhD, RN, will serve as discussant.

Presentations:

• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM PST

  A Values-Driven Approach to Bridging the Digital Divide: A Pilot Intervention for Older Adults
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Melissa deCardi Hladek, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC – Johns Hopkins University
• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM PST

  Emotional Responses to Support From Voice Assistants Within an Ecology of Smart Devices
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Shannon T. Mejia, PhD, FGSA – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM PST

  Motivating Information-Seeking Behaviors for New Technology Across the Life Span
  
• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM PST

  Technology-Based Physio-fEedback Exercise pRogram (PEER) to Prevent Falls and Enhance Health Equity
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Ladda Thiamwong, PhD, RN, FAAN. FNAP – University of Central Florida
• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM PST

  The Relevance of General Fluid Abilities in Technology Proficiency in Older Adults
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Shenghao Zhang, PhD (he/him/his) – Weill Cornell Medicine