The Internet has no barriers where Age is concerned
71% of 65-74 year old are active on the Internet..including my parents, however, I do get daily phone calls to sort out their IT issues! That aside they have embraced technology very well all be it begrudgingly at first.
The latest report is that 70 is the new 65 and if we are to believe the figures no one wants to &/or can afford to Retire anytime soon. Baby boomer will be still sitting in the corner office occupying the seat of the next generation. He/she isn’t prepared or doesn’t want to relinquish that senior position just yet.
Source: Office for National Statistics – Internet Users by Age 2015
The older generation is keeping up, they are “Tuned in and Switched on” right into their 70’s and rightly so because many still have the energy and enthusiasm to carry on.
Minister for Pensions, Baroness Ros Altmann, said: “For years I have championed the value of businesses hiring older workers and it’s excellent that the number of them in employment, including older women, is now at a record high.
“It’s clear employers are changing their attitude to older workers and taking advantage of the excellent skills and experience that they can bring to the workplace.
The workplace is changing and older people face the challenge of “keeping up” with the overwhelming advances in technology. Gone are the days of paper and pencil, it’s all about touch screens and webinars.
A couple of major barriers to the Older generation is the physical and cognitive difficulties, people who suffer arthritis, memory loss and deteriorating eyesight find it very challenging.
A study from London School of Economics (PSSRU dept) identified these issues:
- A perception that information and communication technology is expensive.
- Poor Access to adequate broadband and unreliable connections in areas populated by older people.
- Concerns about loss of privacy, fraud and identity theft.
- Lower skill levels due to older adults having left the workforce before, or just around, the time that ICT was becoming mainstream.
“Overall, the evidence suggests that older adults are deeply ambivalent towards ICT and reluctant to let it encroach too much on their daily lives,”
It appears that evidence is mixed with some users gaining a sense of achievement and accomplishment whilst other have little or no improvement in well-being.
What is evident is that we need action by the government and the public sector to support those that want to embrace the digital world in order to keep them in employment for as long as they want to be there.
Like it or loathe it, we run our business and personal lives Online and getting access to most services requires the Internet so supporting the Older generation is more important than ever.
As Mark Twain said, age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
If you would like to know how I am funding my Retirement or discuss anything relating to the topic above then please Contact me via Skype: louisehunt2012 or email me by clicking here.
I’m on Skype offering a FREE 30-minute initial consultation
I’m Louise Hunt – It’s a pleasure to meet you.
The Internet has no barriers where Age is concerned
