Use of technology among older adults in Baltic states during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Background The population in the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania is ageing rapidly. Technology is a potential resource in enhancing the health and wellbeing of the elderly. The use of technology reduces social isolation through the facilitation of communication and facilitates access to healthcare resources. This study is based on the theory of reasoned action that aims to explains the relationship between attitudes and behavior of individuals. Study Aim Determine nature of the use of technology by older adults in the Baltic states across countries, genders, age, and employment status. Methods Data from Wave 9, COVID-19 Survey 2 (Summer 2021) of the of the cross-national panel dataset of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were examined using a sample of 6303 adults over 50 years old from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Analysis Nonparametric one-way ANOVA (Kruskal-Wallis test) was performed to test the null hypothesis that the rate of use of technology is equal across gender, age, and country in Baltic states. Findings There was a statistically significant difference in the use of technology reported by country [= 15.7, df = 2; p< .001], and age [= 1471.64, df = 6; p< .001. Conclusions These finding suggest that country and age are significant predictors of use of technology. Implications for Policy and Practice: Initiatives for the care of older adults should not only aim to increase the use of technology by older adults but also increase the utility of information and ease of navigation of websites targeted towards this population. Key messages • Country and age are significant predictors of use of technology among the elderly in Baltic states. • Policy initiatives that aim to alleviate social isolation among the elderly through use of technology, need to increase the ease of navigation of websites targeted towards this population.