Speakers
Digital inclusion has become a major problem among older people. Elderlies are excluded from the digital world, while demographic change shows that their number increased and at the same time everyday life becomes more digitalized (ie. e-banking, public administration, communications).
On the other hand, and since the actual generation, which precedes the so-called 3rd age, has more access to the digital world, how are these younger generations preparing for active and healthy ageing? What information and practices are needed? How can the community mobilize itself to be aware of future ageing challenges?
This session aims to present how digital literacy can be a positive factor to make older adults, and their families, freer, more healthy (mentally and physically), and included in society in some southern countries of Europe.
The session will take inspiration from a documentary presented in Greece to inspire and get feedback from countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The objective of the exchange will be that of benchmarking the ‘southern’ approach with the rest of Europe and creating a platform for discussion and learning exchange with other countries.
Speakers will provide an open discussion with the audience to answer the following questions and find solutions:
- How do older people experience the digital shift in their lives (do they accept it? Are they afraid of it? Are they properly educated?)
- The role of the state (Does the state take all measures needed to include them equally?)
- The role of web designers in developing more friendly online environments for older people
- Stereotypes about ageism that affect the exclusion of older people from the digital world
- How intergenerational programs could affect older people’s inclusion
- Organize working groups to discuss the needs of future generations as opposed to the current (older) generation.
- Reinforce the role of companies and the current workforce in issues related to active aging, which will affect everyone
- Identify new needs (taking into account that digital literacy may no longer be the main factor to take into account in the next 10 to 20 years), involving the community: by involving the companies employees, associations, municipalities, etc.
