Learning Computers and Internet in Community Centers to Enrich Senior Life: Impact and Barriers

Background and Purpose. As the Internet and computers become increasingly prevalent, they offer powerful solutions to enrich senior life, including training to improve cognitive abilities and health management, overcoming social isolation, and augmenting or substituting for impaired abilities. Older adults, however, are much less likely to use computers and the Internet because of their anxiety about their abilities and lack of computer skills. There is a need to understand whether a training program could alleviate these shortcomings and help older people realize the benefits of the technology in enriching their quality of life. This study assesses the value and impact of learning such technology in public service settings, and determines the main barriers among both program participants and nonparticipants.

Methods. An independent research team conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of the San Francisco’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). This program provided free access to computers and Internet in community centers for seniors. The computers were user-friendly designed for older people, such as touch screen and preloaded software programs of interest to the elderly. The BTOP also offered 8-week training sessions and one-on-one tutoring that were taught by volunteer instructors. The evaluation consisted of two parts: (1) 119 participants plus staff and BTOP instructors in 10 community centers participated in focus groups, and (2) a voluntary sample of 487 seniors from 40 community centers completed a Computer and Internet Usage and Impact Survey. The focus-group data were analyzed by concurrent thematic coding by two researchers. The survey data were analyzed statistically. The findings were then triangulated.

Results. The study participants were mostly seniors (average age 69) who chose to learn computer and the Internet: 60% of focus group and 68% of the survey participants. The majority was female, with diverse race/ethnicity background, high school or higher education (78%), and living alone (53%). The BTOP participants reported that the program has significantly increased their access to and confidence in using the technology. The program impacted their’ lives in many positive ways: feeling less isolated and more connected with family, friends, community, and the world; experiencing easier ways of communicating with family and friends. The technology made their lives more interesting through recreational activities, social contacts, and new knowledge. The main barriers preventing seniors from using computers, for both users or nonusers, are their (1) concerns about eyesight, (2) limited capabilities in various computer-related skills, (3) lack of interest in computers or the Internet, and (4) limited English proficiency. Program staff and volunteers play a significant role in encouraging participants to learn how to use computers and access the Internet.

Conclusions and Implications: An organized, low-cost community-run computer program may effectively help seniors lessen their anxiety and gain skills to use computers and the Internet, which then help them improve and enrich their personal and social life. There are, however, some common barriers among seniors regardless of their use experience with the technology. Better training program and technology choices should be designed to facilitate making the later part of our long lives fruitful.