Older adults' technology use and its association with health and depressive symptoms: Findings from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Information and communication technology (ICT) provides older adults with access to information and resources that benefit their health.

Purpose

To explore ICT use among older adults and examine the influence of information technology (IT), communication technology (CT), or ICT use on older adults' self-rated health status and depressive symptoms.

Method

A sample of community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older in the United States (N = 4,976) from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Findings

Older adults who embraced ICT and used this technology for a variety of purposes were more likely to report better health status, and were less likely to experience major depressive symptoms than nonusers.

Discussion

In a

SUBMITTER: Kim J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7205676 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature