Bridging the digital divide

Bridging the digital divide; the impact of computer training and Internet access on cognition, depression and social isolation in institutionalized, older adults.

Brenda L. Hage, MSN, CRNP

The Internet offers the potential for providing enhanced social support and psychological well being. It can be used for increasing communication access, exploration of hobbies and interests; obtaining consumer information, and accessing community resources (White et al., 2002). Too often the elderly are ignored as consumers of technology. Unfortunately, technological advances that society takes for granted are largely unavailable to seniors. "As a means of decreasing social isolation, the Internet (i.e., World Wide Web and e-mail) is a novel vehicle of communication...and may provide a means of overcoming barriers to social interaction for the elderly." (Hutchinson, Eastman, Tirrito, 1997; Kubeck et al., 1997, Post, 1996 as cited in White et al., 2002). This project will assess the effect of computer training and access to the Internet for information and email use on depression, social isolation and cognition in long-term care residents aged 60 and above.