Tech for everyone – instead of apps for old age

What will you be presenting at the Digital Days?

One of my main concerns is the perception of old age in our society. Older people are very diverse, but we tend to reduce the ageing phase of life to a simple formula. Research has clearly shown that people associate certain stereotypes with ageing.

These simplified conceptions – e.g. about what older people can or cannot do – are often not a true reflection of reality: our perception of age is usually not differentiated enough. A 65-year-old person, for example, has completely different needs than a 90-year-old.

What stereotypes about older people do you think are most prevalent today?

A widespread stereotype is that people become less cognitively able as they get older. This may be true for the speed with which they process information, but not for the learning ability itself. That’s why it is important to critically question the idea that older people are unable to keep up with the digital transformation or are less able to cope with technological changes.

At the same time, there are also positive age stereotypes: older people are considered wise, friendly and relaxed. Of course, this isn’t true in every case either.

How can age-related stereotypes be problematic?

The way we think about older people has direct consequences for technological development. The way we perceive ageing influences how we design technologies. If we assume that the main thing that older people need is help, then we will also push technological development too one-sidedly in this direction and overlook other significant needs.

This can lead to many of these assistance and support services seeing relatively few takers – precisely because they are not developed for the target group. We don’t want to be dismissed as in need of help just because we’re getting older.

Do older people use digital technologies differently to younger people?

Yes, but not in the way it is often portrayed. The widespread perception of older people as overwhelmed and in need of support falls short of the mark. We have to be careful here not to base technological developments on clichés, but rather on real needs. We are too quick to assume that we already know what older people need.

Smart assistance systems are designed to help older people remain independent for longer – that is good and important. But the frustration of older users often stems from the fact that these systems are developed without knowing what they really want. They are not uninterested or incapable, but feel that their needs have not been adequately addressed.

Do these hasty assumptions about older people have other implications?

Yes, they do. We know from age perception research that age perceptions also have an inward effect, i.e. we apply them to ourselves. In other words, if we keep hearing that we’re going to have problems with technology when we’re older, we will eventually believe it. This can then become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So how do older people use new technologies?

Older people are often just as capable of using digital technologies as younger people – they just do it differently, often more selectively. Many older people don’t reject new technologies because they don’t understand them, but because they make a conscious decision to use their time differently. It is often not a question of being overwhelmed, but of a conscious decision in favour of quality of life.

One example is video calls with grandchildren. Older people use this technology just as confidently as younger people because it allows them to stay in touch with their loved ones. The obvious benefit acts as a powerful motivation here. So we don’t actually need special designs for older people, but a more inclusive design for everyone!

What needs to change to create a more inclusive digital society?

We must ensure that older people are given greater consideration in technological development. They are often less visible because they are no longer part of the work process, but they also have a place in a digital society. Gerontological research shows that there is often not enough recognition that older people’s needs vary widely, and this can have a negative impact on technology development.

If we allow stereotypes to influence the development process, we will prevent a growing section of the population from benefiting from the potential of digitalisation. It’s important to expand the diversity of applications that are easily accessible to older people, in order to create a truly inclusive digital society.