Open AccessVoices of Experience: What Do Low-Income Older Adults Tell Us About Mobility, Technology, and Social Participation?
Author(s) -
Haley B Gallo,
Lia W Marshall,
Lené LevyStorms,
Kathleen H. Wilber,
Anastasia LoukaitouSideris
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied gerontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.857
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1552-4523
pISSN - 0733-4648
DOI - 10.1177/07334648211012530
Subject(s) - social isolation , social mobility , thematic analysis , focus group , gerontology , psychology , qualitative research , sociology , business , medicine , marketing , social science , psychotherapist
Mobility and technology can facilitate in-person and virtual social participation to help reduce social isolation, but issues exist regarding older adults' access, feasibility, and motivation to use various forms of mobility and technology. This qualitative study explores how a diverse group of low-income, urban-living older adults use mobility and technology for social participation. We conducted six focus groups ( N = 48), two each in English, Spanish, and Korean at a Los Angeles senior center. Three major themes emerged from thematic analysis: using technology for mobility; links between mobility and social participation; and technology-mediated social participation. Cost, perceived safety, (dis)ability, and support from family and friends were related to mobility and technology use. This study demonstrates the range of mobility and technology uses among older adults and associated barriers. The findings can help establish a pre-COVID-19 baseline on how to make mobility and technology more accessible for older adults at risk of isolation.