Interventions to Enhance Digital Literacy and Telehealth for Older Adults E.T. Remillard (Convener).
P.P. Freddolino (USA), S. M. Mohamad (Brunei Darussalam), Czaja, S.J. (USA), & Ε.Τ. Remillard (USA).
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AbstractISSUE: Technology is increasingly ingrained in our everyday activities, such as managing finances, accessing resources, and socializing with others. A key example is the shift toward telehealth, which enables patients to receive remote healthcare services, communicate with staff and schedule appointments online, and participate in virtual wellness programs. Across a wide variety of sectors, many services now require the use of online portals or apps where users must create accounts, maintain passwords, and utilize email, in addition to navigating the platform itself. Digital services hold great potential to support the physical, mental, and social health of older adults, but individuals who lack technology skills can be left behind. While the proportion of older adults using technology has increased, many older individuals lack digital literacy or the cognitive and technical skills to use technology in order find, create, and communicate information effectively (American Library Association, 2011; Oh et al., 2021). Globally, there is a need to provide training and supportive services to ensure older adults can utilize everyday information and communication technologies (e.g., tablets, smartphones, computers) and participate in digital activities effectively and safely (e.g., avoiding scams, protecting their personal information). This symposium highlights interventions addressing this important need in various community settings. CONTENT: Freddolino (USA) will describe Virtual Connections a community-based program to enhance basic digital skills (e.g., privacy, email, internet browsing) and awareness of telehealth resources by hard-to-reach older adults. He will present outcomes from distinct delivery models that provided the same resources via different means (e.g., home delivered meal recipients, in-person senior center groups) and devices (e.g., provided tablet, personal smart phone). Mohammad (Brunei Darussalam) will highlight two regional initiatives including 1) a community-based research collaboration in Southeast Asia focused on nurturing digital literacy skills and raising digital safety awareness among the older adult population and 2) BruHealth a telehealth platform initially used to book COVID-19 vaccinations that has evolved into a widely used, multi-purpose telehealth platform. Czaja (USA) will describe the PRISM-CI software system, a tablet-based application designed to enhance access to resources, information, and social engagement for older adults with cognitive impairment. The presentation will highlight how the user-centered design approach and comprehensive instructional support can facilitate learning of new technology skills among this population. Remillard (USA) will present the Tele Tai Chi program which uses video conferencing to deliver a socially engaging, evidence-based exercise program. Her presentation will focus on deploying the virtual program in community-based settings and the technology support materials and training designed to enable instructors, staff, and participants to successfully deliver and/or engage in virtual wellness classes. CONCLUSION: Researchers demonstrate how user-centered digital literacy programs can facilitate technology use and skills among older adults and their participation in digital activities. Presentations underscore the importance of engaging community partners as collaborators in designing effective programs that meet the unique needs of a community. Shared success factors for sustainability include reciprocal community partnerships and adaptable technology support.Keywords: digital literacy, telehealth, technology adoption
P.P. Freddolino (USA), S. M. Mohamad (Brunei Darussalam), Czaja, S.J. (USA), & Ε.Τ. Remillard (USA). (2026). Interventions to Enhance Digital Literacy and Telehealth for Older Adults E.T. Remillard (Convener).. Gerontechnology, 25(2), 1-10
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2026.25.2.1311.3