technology and ageing: home sweet home
DESCRIPTION
ILC-UK presentation from Habinteg seminar Home Sweet Home. 31st January 2013. David Sinclair: Assistant Director, Policy and Communications.TRANSCRIPT
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Technology and ageingHome Sweet Home
David Sinclair, International Longevity
Centre – UK @ilcuk
@sinclairda #nudgeorcompel
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Summary
The world is changing
Using technology can be good for us
10 years of digital inclusion policy.
Why aren't older people online (access, skills, behaviour).
Tackling the barriers
http://nudges.org/tag/urinals/
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
A significant association between internet use and perceived control in one’s life
Uses the internet Yes
No
Total
Strongly agree 551 (39.6%) 840 (60.4%) 1391Moderately agree 1515 (51.6%) 1420 (48.4%) 2935
Slightly agree 1545 (59.4%) 1058 (40.6%) 2603
Slightly disagree 636 (68.2%) 296 (31.8%) 932Moderately disagree
593 (77.3%) 174 (22.7%) 767
Strongly disagree 268 (71.8%) 105 (28.2%) 373
Chi-Sq= 422.074, df = 5, P=<0.000
Table 1. Feels what happens in life is often determined by factors beyond control
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
A strong association between the measure of internet use and measures of loneliness
Uses the internet
Yes
No
Total
Hardly ever or never
3764 (60.2%) 2489 (39.8%) 6253
Some of the time 1091(51.3%) 1037 (48.7%) 2128
Often 272 (37.4%) 456 (62.6%) 728
Chi-Sq= 166.556, df = 2, P=<0.000Table 5. How often respondent feels lonely
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
People who reported not using the internet were more likely to say that they ‘often’ felt isolated
Uses the internet
Yes
No
Total
Hardly ever or never
3683 (59.5%) 2503 (40.5%) 6186
Some of the time 1242 (52.6%) 1118 (47.4%) 2360
Often 198 (37.4%) 331 (62.6%) 529
Chi-Sq= 115.871, df = 2, P=<0.000Table 6. How often respondent feels isolated from others
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
We found a weak association between the measure of internet use and anxiety
Uses the internet
Yes
No
Total
Experiences anxiety 194 (44.5%) 242 (55.5%)
436
Doesn’t experience anxiety
216 (62.6%) 129 (37.4%)
345
Chi-Sq= 4.008, df = 1, P=0.045Table 4. Respondent reports anxiety
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Looking back to 2003
Instructions, packaging, user experience, hardware, software gave a relatively terrible user experience for manyAccessibility and the User Experience has vastly improved (hardware, software, ease of purchase, setup)
There are millions of fewer people not onlineBut there are millions more (over 7.5 million) still offline
http://www.adsavvy.org/amazoncoms-new-frustration-free-packaging-is-eco-and-customer-friendly/
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
The slow death of adult learning?
Government had invested heavily in learning (UK Online Centres)We have failed to evaluate impact of learning and ACL struggles to justify expenditure. Public sector spending on adult learning is likely to be squeezed further due to spending cuts. By 2014/15 the education budget will be reduce by 13%. Spending on schools will fall by 1%. But we will see 20% cuts to Further Education and sixth-form colleges, and 40% to Higher Education institutions.
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
And since 2003
Technology has facilitated better back office functions which has made service delivery better for all.But more private and public services are available exclusively online
The issue continues to be no-ones and everyone's responsibility. Where are the Ministers? An assumption remains that the market will solve this problem.
http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
But much public discourse remains the same
“This problem will go away. The next generation will be fine”Last quarter ONS Stats showed that progress for 65+s is two thirds slower than for under 65s (4.36% improvement vs 14.22%)
Still an obsession with assuming “my mum” knows the answer
Offline groups are still more likely to be older, have disabilities or be from lower socio-economic groups.
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
From universal access to high speed broadband
Delivering Digital Inclusion (2008): Recognised behavioural issues and led to the creation of Race Online (but little else?)
Digital Britain (2009) saw digital inclusion move to BIS and DCMS.
Digital Britain conflated the issues of skills development and motivation. No initiatives were proposed in either regard, although the work of Race Online 2012 was referred to as a solution. Later that year actions legislative responsibility moved to the Treasury recognising economic imperative in relation to high speed broadband.
Britain’s Superfast Broadband Future (2010) abandons the UK Government’s universal ambitions?
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
A move towards “digital by default”
‘We need to embrace new ways of delivering services … We need to be digital by default. Services that could be delivered online should be delivered only online … Digital by default will become a reality, not just a buzz phrase’. Frances Maude MP
Universal Benefit – Heavy reliance of online access.
http://www.ieg4.com/
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
The role for new technologies
135 years ago– first two way
phone call made
In 2000 – ½ world had never
owned a phone
By 2007 ½ the world had a
mobile phone
It took 75 years for telephones
to reach 50 million users
It took 4 years for the internet to
reach 50 million
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Care Home Sweet Home
Tablet computers
Smartphones
GPS monitoring
Epilepsy monitors
Lifestyle/behavoural monitoring
Medication reminders
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Google knows! Location Based Services
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
My Society/Fixmystreet.com
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Tripadvisor for Care Homes
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Ocado for care
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Technology to facilitate active ageing
Volunteering
Gradual Retirement
(slithers of time)
Opportunities for
fun
Opportunities to
participate in
society
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardstubbs/5933679919/sizes/m/in/photostream/
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Web facilitating access to Information and Advice
• More confident consumers of care with raising
expectations rather than patients
• More tests available online/instant response
(telehealth/care/monitoring)
• Greater access to information about conditions
(accuracy?)
• Expectations to become more focused on “fix it”,
prevent it, cure it?
• Growth in health tourism. What about care
tourism? (Travelodge/recuperation in Spain)
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Barriers to going technology use
Barriers to going online can be categorised as: Access, Skills and Behavioural choice
The disproportionally under-researched topic of behaviour and attitudes seem to play just as great, if not a greater role as access and skills
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Digital Exclusion still a problem
Seven in ten 16-24s now using a smartphone. Under one in ten 65-74s and just 3% of over-75s do so.
In the last year there has been a small drop in the percentage of those aged over 75 with broadband at home (26% to 23%).
1/4 aged 75+ use the internet, the same figure as 2011. 15% of 25-44 year olds have a tablet PC, just 4% of 65-74 and 1% of over
75s do. “involuntary non-ownership of internet has risen significantly among those
aged over 75″. 54% over 75s have difficulty using PC compared with 3% 16-24 year olds. Whilst disabled people aged 15 -34 have comparable internet access to
non disabled people, those aged over 35 with visual or mobility impairment fall behind those without an impairment of the same age group.
Over 65s with a visual impairment are significantly less likely than other over 65s to have a mobile.
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
But firstly, take care with Age Assumptions
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Usability
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Motivating and inspiring the older population
“But how much smaller do
we want a phone?”
Some/many do want new
technology but: “I don’t
want to live in a smart-
home – I’d rather be dead” http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/5832685007/sizes/z/in/
photostream/
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Can’t continue to ignore the ethical issues
Moral and ethical debates – cant afford to ignore them
Must help older people choose technology when it is right for them (tagging/urine tests)
Privacy
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Technology wont tackle the fundamental problems
The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.
Bill Gates
(Let’s get the basics right first!)
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Limited culture of private purchase of health/care technologies
Personalisation?
Access to
information and
advice?
But Health Apps are
biggest growth area
for Iphone.http://www.flickr.com/photos/thousandshipz/4679235/sizes/
m/in/photostream/
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Policy implications
Usability: Perhaps we need a legislative approach?
Or would this constrain innovation?
Inspiring and engaging the older consumer: How
can we tackle “its not for me”
Addressing ethics: Need to be more up front with
consumers about the use of technology
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Complacency about technology: Technology is a
tool. But not a magic bullet.
Digital Exclusion: Do we need compulsion? Can
we nudge?
Creating a culture of private purchase: Need
healthcare technology on the BBC breakfast sofa.
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Can we nudge?
Service providers could attract older customers by finding ways of discounted installation and connection deals, and initial periods of free internet access.
Companies advertising technology and opportunities to learn technology should use imagery of both older and younger people.
Government and the private sector should support local digital champions to make the case at a community level for the use of new technology.
Government and the private should invest more in adult learning, particularly if certain services are going to be made available exclusively online.
The technology sector should place more emphasis on co-design.
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Should we go further? Compulsion?
“By switching services, like what we have done with analogue TV, there is a real opportunity to carry people on [to the internet],... I think that shutting down services would be the best way of carrying through the most amount of people, as long as it is carried through with training”
“the acid test for Directgov is whether it can empower, and make life simpler for, citizens and at the same time allow government to turn other things off”
Martha Lane Fox
The International Longevity Centre-UK is an independent, non-partisan think-tank
dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change.
Many thanks
David Sinclair
Head of Policy and Research
International Longevity Centre
02073400440
Twitter: @ilcuk and @sinclairda