Future of an Ageing Population

Future of an Ageing Population | Physical, Social and Technological Connectivity
Policy Implication
Design of the built environment can enable older people to access their
neighbourhood and surrounding areas, leading to increased activity levels,
better health, and improved quality of life. The built environment is most
likely to facilitate this if it is underpinned by inclusive design, and considers
the needs of all users.
7.4 Technological connectivity
New and existing technologies have great potential to improve connectivity. There
are, however, major barriers that currently prevent some groups, including older
people, from accessing technologies and gaining the full benefits of them.
Other chapters in this report describe how technology could help to address
many of the challenges of the ageing population. Technology also has the
potential to facilitate social connectivity and alleviate some of the loneliness
that many older people report. Older adults often benefit from using information
and communications technology (ICT) applications such as email and video
calling services such as Skype to remain in contact with their family members
and friends, and those who use ICT appear to experience positive impacts on
their level of participation in voluntary social, religious and political activities,
clubs and organisations 70 . Technologies such as augmented reality services can
facilitate virtual participation in a wide range of activities such as social events,
the pursuit of hobbies or virtual tourism. Older people – especially those who are
geographically isolated or have limited mobility – could benefit by feeling more
connected, empowered and independent through using ICT to access information
and services 70 . However, ICT could also lead to the breakdown of traditional forms
of social interaction, and is often used to reinforce existing social contacts, rather
than to build new ones 70 .
As the current cohort of individuals age they become less likely to embrace and
use new technologies 222 . In 2014, of the 6.4 million people in the UK (13% of the
population) who had not used the internet, 5.6 million were aged 55 and over 223 .
While ‘catch up’ does occur as cohorts who have experience of using particular
technologies, such as the internet, enter older age groups (see Figure 7.5), this is
balanced by the increasingly rapid pace of technological change as the growth in
patent applications and awards implies (see Figure 7.6). While people currently
reaching older age may be comfortable using the internet, they are less likely to be
comfortable using emerging technologies, such as virtual reality or robotics, which
may become increasingly important.
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