ONLINE CONSUMPTION HABITS OF OLDER PEOPLE IN HUNGARY

Abstract

People's lives have been significantly affected by COVID-19, including the elderly, who have sought to limit personal contact, especially during quarantine periods. Their shopping habits, and their daily lives changed, too. The basis of my research was a longitudinal study conducted by the Department of Gerontology of the University of Debrecen, Faculty of Health Sciences. I conducted a two-region study in the summer of 2021, using the interview technique. I was looking for answers to the question how and to what extent the COVID-19 epidemic has affected the lives of members of older people's organisations, and how and in what ways their habits have changed, such as the use of digital devices and consumption in general. The results show that during the pandemic, in 2020, telephone contact was the main mode of communication between members of organisations, while in the following year, 2021, there were almost equal numbers of people who preferred online contact and those who preferred traditional telephone contact. Older people have presumably become more open to the online world, which is why internet use and online contact have become more common. During the period under review, older people's willingness to use digital tools increased and this also broadened their opportunities, such as by developing their skills, which was often a necessity. This is also true for online purchases. Online consumption has also increased among older age groups, as well as among all age groups of domestic consumers. For older people in particular, this is influenced by their opportunities for digitalisation. The main advantage of digitalisation for older people is that they can keep in touch with each other and with their family members living further away much more easily, but the disadvantage is the financial cost, as not all older people can afford to have the right technical conditions, internet access and skills.