by Thomas Kamber, PhD
23 December 2017
It is a sad paradox that the technology revolution which has done so much to connect the world has in many ways been a source of increasing alienation and isolation for senior citizens. More than 25 years after the invention of the World Wide Web, one-third of Americans over the age of 65 report never using the Internet, and half lack a home broadband connection. This translates into more than 15 million older adults who can’t use email, follow a family member on Facebook, or search for local events online. Information and communications technologies are a lifeline for the socially disconnected, and programs that engage and train older adults in using these tools are on the front lines of efforts to overcome the epidemic of social isolation among senior citizens.