Digital Distance in Times of Physical Distancing: ICT Infrastructure and Use in Long-Term Care Facilities
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Authors
Cotten, Shelia
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Publication date
21.02.2023
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01A - Journal article
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American Behavioral Scientist
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Pages / Duration
1-17
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Abstract
Although information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as smartphones, tablets, and the internet have all become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, we often forget that not everyone has access to the internet or uses ICT devices. Individuals on the wrong side of the digital divide are often older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), such as “old–old” adults, who often have various functional impairments. To shed light on the initial situation shortly before the pandemic, three data sources from Switzerland were used in this study to answer the following questions: (1) Do older adults want to have internet access if and/or when they move into a LTCF? (2) What form does ICT use take (specifically internet, smartphone, and tablet use) among LTCF residents, and what need do they have for ICT support? (3) What is the state of LTCFs’ ICT infrastructure and residents’ level of involvement in the decision-making process related to acquiring new technologies? Community-dwelling older adults in this study reported a desire to have internet access when moving into LTCFs, and 21% of LTCF residents reported using the internet just before the pandemic began. Internet access and ICT infrastructure in LTCFs, in general, are both limited, however, and LTCF managers seldom involve older adults in the ICT decision-making process. While modern ICT usage has reached the long-term care sector, the results of this study show that compensating for a lack of physical social contacts by relying on digital solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be the sole solution.
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ISBN
ISSN
0002-7642
1552-3381
1552-3381
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Gold
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Citation
Seifert, A., & Cotten, S. (2023). Digital Distance in Times of Physical Distancing: ICT Infrastructure and Use in Long-Term Care Facilities. American Behavioral Scientist, 1–17. https://irf.fhnw.ch/handle/11654/34672
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