Addressing the Challenges of Aging: How Elders and Their Care Partners Seek Information. Gerontologist 2017 Oct 01;57(5):955-962
Date
04/08/2016Pubmed ID
27053506DOI
10.1093/geront/gnw060Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85030774172 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 20 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: Elders in retirement communities face many challenges concerning information and communication. We know little about whether or how online technologies help meet their medical and social needs. The objective of this study was to gain insights into how these elders and their families manage health information and communication.
DESIGN AND METHODS: Qualitative analysis of 10 focus groups with elders and family members. Participants were 30 elders at least 75 years of age residing in 5 senior living communities in and near Boston, MA, and 23 family members.
RESULTS: Elders and families turned first to their personal networks when they needed information or help. They stayed informed about elders' health primarily by talking directly with providers. They used online resources infrequently, including portal access to medical records. They wanted online access to medication lists and visit notes, up-to-date information about local services and social activities, and a way to avoid the overwhelming nature of Internet searches.
IMPLICATIONS: Elders in senior living communities and their families piece together information primarily from word of mouth communication. In the future, electronic social and collaborative technologies may make information gathering easier.
Author List
Walker J, Crotty BH, O'Brien J, Dierks MM, Lipsitz L, Safran CAuthor
Bradley H. Crotty MD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Caregivers
Family
Female
Focus Groups
Housing for the Elderly
Humans
Information Seeking Behavior
Internet
Male
Medical Records
Middle Aged
Patient Portals
Qualitative Research
