4.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the key findings from interviews conducted for this dissertation. These findings seek to answer the research question which is, “To what extent can technology reduce elderly people’s experience of social isolation?” The findings are thus presented in relation to the objectives of the study. Three people, a man and two women, were interviewed for this dissertation. All of these participants fall into the category of the ‘elderly’ as used in this study. Two of these participants were also the main carers of much more elderly relatives, about whom they provided information. The key findings derived from the interviews and presented here thus deal with their knowledge on technology, in terms of skill, …show more content…
(John)
I have heard about all of them but I have only a mobile phone. (Joanna)
The response from the participants demonstrate a degree of awareness in technology. Not only are the interviewees very much aware of existing ICT products but have also acquired some of the modern technological devices for use. They were also able to differentiate between the devices and to determine their preferences in terms of usability and according to their needs. According to the information gathered on the elderly relatives, they did not appear to be interested in or had the ability to engage with technology, as a result of them being advanced in age and having health problems.
4.3 The Mobile Phone
Further to the awareness of technology, the elderly demonstrated that the most preferred device is the mobile phone. However, out of the many functions the modern mobile phone offers such as texting, emailing and various other functionalities via the Internet, the participants mostly used the mobile phone for holding conversations with friends and family. As the participants stated:
…Wherever I am, I’m able to call any of my children or receive calls from them, which I find to be a very good thing. Sometime ago, I had to wait at night to be able to speak with my children. … …show more content…
Security
In addition to serving as the main communication device among the elderly, it became evident that having a telephone in most cases was crucial to ensuring the safety of loved ones. Two of the interviewees, Emily and John for example, being the main carers of their aged mothers, had their mobile telephones connected to their mothers’ emergency alarm systems. In case of a fall for example, their mothers could press the so-called ‘piper alarm’ which is attached to their bodies, that triggers a telephone call to them and to the emergency services. John and Emily state:
For example, my mother’s got an alarm and when she presses it, it will ring my mobile. If for any reason I can’t answer it, then automatically, it goes through to the emergency services and they send the police round. (John)
… Yes and she’s got one of these red things [piper alarm] for emergency. So if something happens to her, it goes to this company which calls me.
This chapter presents the key findings from interviews conducted for this dissertation. These findings seek to answer the research question which is, “To what extent can technology reduce elderly people’s experience of social isolation?” The findings are thus presented in relation to the objectives of the study. Three people, a man and two women, were interviewed for this dissertation. All of these participants fall into the category of the ‘elderly’ as used in this study. Two of these participants were also the main carers of much more elderly relatives, about whom they provided information. The key findings derived from the interviews and presented here thus deal with their knowledge on technology, in terms of skill, …show more content…
(John)
I have heard about all of them but I have only a mobile phone. (Joanna)
The response from the participants demonstrate a degree of awareness in technology. Not only are the interviewees very much aware of existing ICT products but have also acquired some of the modern technological devices for use. They were also able to differentiate between the devices and to determine their preferences in terms of usability and according to their needs. According to the information gathered on the elderly relatives, they did not appear to be interested in or had the ability to engage with technology, as a result of them being advanced in age and having health problems.
4.3 The Mobile Phone
Further to the awareness of technology, the elderly demonstrated that the most preferred device is the mobile phone. However, out of the many functions the modern mobile phone offers such as texting, emailing and various other functionalities via the Internet, the participants mostly used the mobile phone for holding conversations with friends and family. As the participants stated:
…Wherever I am, I’m able to call any of my children or receive calls from them, which I find to be a very good thing. Sometime ago, I had to wait at night to be able to speak with my children. … …show more content…
Security
In addition to serving as the main communication device among the elderly, it became evident that having a telephone in most cases was crucial to ensuring the safety of loved ones. Two of the interviewees, Emily and John for example, being the main carers of their aged mothers, had their mobile telephones connected to their mothers’ emergency alarm systems. In case of a fall for example, their mothers could press the so-called ‘piper alarm’ which is attached to their bodies, that triggers a telephone call to them and to the emergency services. John and Emily state:
For example, my mother’s got an alarm and when she presses it, it will ring my mobile. If for any reason I can’t answer it, then automatically, it goes through to the emergency services and they send the police round. (John)
… Yes and she’s got one of these red things [piper alarm] for emergency. So if something happens to her, it goes to this company which calls me.