Jeff Johnson – Tips on How to Make Technology Work Better for Older Adults
Older adults are often left out of the design process when new technologies are created. This leaves them with a less than optimal experience, and can even be dangerous to their health. Digital technology needs to be designed for everyone, not just young people who grew up with it as part of their daily lives. Technology companies need to include older adults in the design process from the beginning if they want to create products that will really work well for this demographic. Not all older people need help, but some do. Most people go through a period of needing extra support as they age, and many more will be affected by this than we think because life expectancy is increasing rapidly. Many older adults are interested in using new technologies to stay connected with their families and friends or to make it easier for them to manage their finances or get around town independently, but these technologies aren’t always designed with seniors’ needs in mind. The result is that they can find themselves excluded from the benefits of modern technology – a loss not just for them personally, but also for society at large. Design teams should include older members or hire outside advisors who can give feedback during product development and testing phases so that all users have an equal chance at success using these devices and apps.——————– Timestamps: [00:00] Pre-intro dialogue from Jeff Johnson[02:33] Friendly get to know you[03:17] Introduction to Jeff Johnson[04:08] Why did you choose to concentrate on the user interface, design, and how did your background in psychology help you pursue this?[06:18] How do you feel about, the way that technology is often not designed to accommodate older adults?[11:16] What are some of the benefits older adults are missing out on because of this disconnect?[12:41] Are there any features in new gadgets and websites that appeal to older adults and have made their lives better?[16:44] Today’s technology does not work the same as how people think. There is a mismatch between the way things work and what we think.[18:25] How can technology companies make sure their product services are accessible to older adults?[21:51] Are there circumstances where making a separate offering for older adults makes more sense than trying to design one technology that works across all levels of ability?[24:13] Do you think a shift in the way we view elders in society would help make technology more accessible?[28:45] There are many misconceptions about how older adults use technology and their relationship with it. If you could have everyone understand one thing about the way this relationship works, what would that be?[30:37] What’s your favorite aging-related label or classification system that is used at your organization?[33:36] Do you have any other thoughts?[35:43] How do people find you and your book?——————– Bio: Professor Jeff Johnson is a computer scientist who has been in the field for over 40 years. He has worked as an engineer manager, usability tester, and researcher at multiple companies including Cromemco, Xerox, US West, Hewlett-Packard Labs, and Sun Microsystems. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was chair of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility. He’s taught at Stanford University Mills College, and in 2006 and 2013 taught HCI as an Erskine Fellow at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Since 2004 he has served on the SIGCHI Public Policy Committee. In 2013 he presented to Congress about privacy concerns with Facebook’s Timeline feature. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-johnson-aa63b/Website: https://www.usfca.edu/faculty/jeffrey-johnson
Hanh Brown – Technology and Older Adults: 10 Things You Need to Know
If you’re an older adult who wants to keep up with the latest technological advances, you need to know about Technology and Older Adults. In this podcast episode, we’ll discuss 10 things you need to know about this topic. From how to use technology to stay connected to family and friends, to staying safe online, to stay healthy and mobile, this podcast episode will give you everything you need to know about technology and older adults. So be sure to listen, and then start practicing the tips we discuss so you can stay ahead of the curve! In this podcast episode, we’re going to take a look at the benefits of technology for seniors and discuss some of the things you need to know about it. There are lots of great benefits to be had by keeping seniors as well-rounded as possible. By learning about technology, they can stay connected with friends and family, stay independent, and stay safe. In this podcast episode, we’ll discuss 10 things you need to know about technology and older adults so that you can make the most of this growing trend! Technology has revolutionized the way we live, work, and play. It seems like there’s an app for everything these days. But what about older adults? How can we better understand the needs of older adults when it comes to technology? And what motivates them to adopt new technologies? First and foremost, it’s important to remember that not all older adults are the same. Literacy and physical ability can influence an older adult’s decision to adopt the technology. Some older adults are early adopters of new technology, while others are more hesitant. In this episode, I delved into understanding the technological needs of older adults, the factors that influence their decisions to adopt technology, and the challenges they may face when adapting to new technologies. Additionally, it discusses the role of literacy in older adult’s ability to use technology effectively and strategies that can be used to improve digital literacy among older adults. The episode also covers the importance of making technology more accessible and affordable for older adults, as well as ensuring their safety when using technology. Finally, it explores the role of policymakers in increasing the adoption of technology by older adults. This topic aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities that technology presents for older adults, and how to best support them in using technology to improve their quality of life. Topics I will discuss in this episode include: ✅ How can we better understand the technological needs of older adults? ✅ What factors influence older adults’ decisions to adopt technology? ✅ What challenges do older adults face when adapting to new technologies? ✅ How does literacy impact older adults’ ability to use technology effectively? ✅ What strategies can be used to improve digital literacy among older adults? ✅ How can we make technology more accessible for older adults? ✅ How can we make technology more affordable for older adults? ✅ How can we ensure that seniors are safe when using technology? ✅ How can policymakers increase the adoption of technology by older adults? You’ll come away from the episode with a better understanding of how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital devices and services. Whether you’re an older adult yourself or simply want to be more prepared to help a loved one, this episode is a must-listen. 👉 See our Website: https://podcast.boomerliving.tv/🎙 Boomer Living Podcast: https://hanhdbrown.com/👉 LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2TFIbbd
Hanh Brown – Can Technology Benefit Our Aging Loved Ones?
In this episode 2, of our 3 part series, we’ll explore how new technology can benefit our aging loved ones. From staying connected to living independently, we’ll see how technology can help our loved ones stay independent and engaged in their lives. Technology is changing rapidly, and it’s important that we’re aware of the benefits and how it can help our loved ones. In this podcast episode, we’ll explore how new technology can benefit seniors and help them stay connected and engaged in their lives. We hope you enjoy learning about this important topic! As we live longer and healthier lives, aging no longer means what it used to. Older adults are active, engaged members of society who use technology to stay connected with family and friends, manage their finances, stay healthy, and pursue their hobbies and interests. Technology has revolutionized health care, making it possible to monitor our health in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Fitness trackers, digital pillboxes, and mobile apps allow us to track our physical activity, sleep patterns, medications, and diet. This data can be used to identify trends and make lifestyle changes that can improve our health and well-being. For older adults living with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or COPD, technology can be a vital tool for managing their health. Digital health tools can help them track their symptoms and medication use, schedule doctor’s appointments and medication refills and connect with their care team. However, it can also present challenges, such as those related to privacy and security. Ultimately, the decision of when and how to use technology in the care of older adults should be made by the older adults themselves, in consultation with their families and caregivers. Technology has the potential to greatly improve the lives of older adults. It is important that we continue to explore ways to incorporate it into our caregiving practices in a way that is respectful of the needs and preferences of our patients. Topics I will discuss in this episode include: ✅ What types of technologies are used in health management for older adults? ✅ What are the benefits of using technology to manage the health of older adults? ✅ What challenges do older adults face in using digital health tools? ✅ How do technologies help seniors manage chronic conditions? ✅ What are the best practices for incorporating technology into senior care? ✅ Who decides when and how to use technology in senior care? ✅ How do families and caregivers feel about using technology in the care of their loved ones? ✅ How do seniors feel about health tech? ✅ How can we ensure that technology is used safely and effectively in the care of older adults? ✅ What are some of the risks of using technology later in life? ✅ What challenges does aging pose for the development of digital health solutions? ✅ How can the tech industry & the aging community collaborate to innovate accessible technology? ✅ How will advances in technology impact the way we monitor & manage health in older adults? Listen to part 1: “Hanh Brown – Technology and Older Adults: 10 Things You Need to Know”Listen to part 1 on Apple Podcasts 👉 See our Website: https://podcast.boomerliving.tv/🎙 Boomer Living Podcast: https://hanhdbrown.com/👉 LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2TFIbbd