Seniors and technology

As we continue into the 21^st century, one of the major considerations any museum must face is how to incorporate rapidly improving technology into the organization’s facilities and programs.  This consideration is complicated by the aging of the American population and the belief that our older citizens are not interested in embracing iPads or other gadgets. However, the Pew Research Institute’s Internet and American Life Project reports that the number of seniors using the Internet and other technology is on the rise.  The institute released the findings that now 53% of seniors 65 and older use the Internet and email, 69% own a cell phone (up from 57% in 2010), and 33% use a social media site such as Facebook[1].  While other age groups may have a higher daily usage of technology, these figures indicate that there is a growing sense of comfort in using technology amongst seniors.

While only a small number of 65 and older have purchased smartphones traditional cell phones, Kindles, ebooks, and other tablets are gaining in popularity due to their easy use. The increase in use of social media is credited to the seniors’ desires to stay in touch with family members, and the seniors’ overall Internet usage revolves around searching for information and news [2] . The simplicity of using these gadgets and the reasons why seniors seek out technology is crucial for museums to consider when developing programming for technology so that the museum’s investment will be put to good use by multiple age ranges in their audiences.

To help develop effective technology programming for seniors, museums can adapt the tips Dr. Ronald Baecker, the founder of University Of Toronto's Technologies for Aging Gracefully Lab (TAGlab), provides for seniors who are looking to incorporate new technology into their lives.

1.       Make it meaningful- technology should reinforce social interaction

2.       Talk it out- new users should speak with someone about a particular piece of technology to gain familiarity with it

3.       Don’t base decisions on price- the ease of use should better dictate satisfaction with a product than a low price tag

4.       Find balance- new users should make sure their usage does not over power their physical social lives.[3]

These tips can guide museums to make smart gadget acquisitions and smart implementation decisions so that technology enhances rather than overpowers an exhibition.

 An example of a program following these tips is the project For Love and Art whose mission is to “[bring] the Art Experience to those with limited mobility.” For Love and Art partners with The Amon Carter Museum of American Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Dallas Museum of Art, The J. Paul Getty Museum, The Kimbell Art Museum, The Meadows Museum, The Metropolitan Art Museum, The National Gallery of Art, and The Phillips Collection to compile artworks and their descriptions on a digital tablet to form an ArtBook.  These ArtBooks are then distributed to senior centers, hospitals, and other locations with individuals of limited mobility[4].  The ArtBooks are a meaningful use of the tablet as the artwork stimulates conversation amongst the seniors. The tablets are delivered by a group that can talk the seniors through how to use the technology and were chosen for their durability, ease of use, and ease of maintaining. Finally, the ArtBooks help the seniors find balance as they are unable to physically access these museums for a social interaction but can use the tablets to access the artworks themselves and create an interaction.

To learn more about the For Love and Art project, visit: http://www.forloveandart.org/. The website also provides links to the contributing museum so that you can learn more about the programs each museum offers in house.

Another museum made use of technology for seniors in 2011. The Jewish Museum partnered with Selfhelp’s Virtual Senior Center to provide webcam classes related to the exhibitions on display at the time. The partnership between the museum and Selfhelp allowed the museum to provide access to their collection to a segment of their audience who could no longer physically travel to the museum, homebound seniors. The use of the Internet and webcams was meaningful for each senior and maintained balance in their lives as they could remain social and have stimulating discussions with their peers while remaining at home[5]. 

 As technology continues to advance, museums will continue to feel the pressure to incorporate new gadgets into their institutions. The tips and examples discussed will not only help museums create accessible technology practices for seniors but also audiences at large. See the footnotes for the links to learn more about the research and museums mentioned.

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[1] Summary of Pew Research Institute’s Internet and American Life Project- http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Older-adults-and-internet-use/Summary-of-findings.aspx

[2] Article from Fox Business- http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/08/02/how-boomers-seniors-are-using-internet/

[3] Article from Huffington Post- Canada- http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/22/seniors-and-technology_n_1618903.html#slide=more234491

[4] For Love and Art website- http://www.forloveandart.org/

[5] Press release from The Jewish Museum- http://www.thejewishmuseum.org/SelfhelpRelease