An Empirical Research into Technology usage By Older Adults and Barriers Faced in usage of Technology in Kerala

Abstract

Digital technology has transformed our everyday life to a great extent in the past couple of decades and has reached its zenith. In our attempt to digitalize everything, they have ignored or forgotten to tap a large consumer base, mainly comprising of elderly users. According to a hep age, India report India will be burgeoning with senior citizens by 2050 as its elderly population will be the same in number to its population below 18 years of age. In short, the intrusion of digital technology has created a paradigm shift in the way people interact, access information, and make purchases rather than depending heavily on human interaction & personalized monitoring. It will be gruesome for the elderly generation to adopt these changed as they are not accustomed to this newfound applications & methods. As more business and services get transformed into an online platform, some unique barriers and challenges may place many of the elderly Indians in a disadvantaged position. A study among senior citizens will help the policymakers of our society, designing inclusive digital interventions that can accommodate elderly citizens' requirements. It further makes business sense to marketers to design and deliver products that can cater to their needs. Our study is an attempt to understand the usage and application of smart and digital technologies and barriers faced by them in using them. Senior citizens filled the questionnaire in the age band of 65to 75 from different geographical areas dispersed in Kerala. Our study reveals that older adults have unique barriers to adoption, such as physical, emotional, and lack of comfort and confidence while using these devices. The most exciting fact from our study is that many of them hold a positive outlook about technology invading into their life