Digital Seniors was formed to address senior digital inclusion by mobilising community and business collaboration to support seniors' digital needs.
Digital Seniors Founder and CEO Cathy Hardinge said that with digital transformation rapidly advancing, many seniors have been left behind, particularly with complex technologies like AI emerging.
"The vision behind Digital Seniors has been to drive positive social change from collective action. The organisation has been working for seven years to foster this change through free trusted community-based, one-on-one digital coaching by volunteers. Recently, they have also started engaging businesses in the effort, emphasising the urgency of developing their their digital services and products to meet the needs of older people," she said.
This need for digital inclusion has become a societal and economic issue. The "Silver Economy" is expected to grow significantly as seniors will soon outnumber those under 15 years of age. Many businesses have already observed the increasing demand for senior-friendly services, especially as current approaches often fail to meet their specific needs.
Digital Seniors has aimed to reframe aging as a progressive stage of life and promote an inclusive approach in business practices. By understanding seniors' unique preferences and challenges, businesses can improve customer engagement and potentially reduce frustrations arising from digital disconnects.
One practical expression of this mission is the Digital Seniors Expo, designed to showcase technologies that benefit seniors and their caregivers. Held earlier this month, the event served a dual purpose: informing seniors about technology that could enrich their lives and educating middle-aged individuals about the emerging tech for their future, or tech for their older loved ones.
The expo included a variety of gadgets, from basic home aids to advanced tech tools so that seniors at any comfort level with technology can find something useful. Through exhibits and practical workshops in the "know-how zone," attendees can learn skills like recording family histories or recognising online scams. The expo is intended not just as a showcase but as a motivational event to encourage seniors and their families to embrace the benefits of technology in a safe, accessible way. Over 60 organisations were on show at the Eventfinda Stadium, which was the first expo of its kind in New Zealand.
"We have zones dedicated to health technology, transport and mobility, gaming, genealogical mapping, intergenerational technologies for reminiscing, free hearing tests, smart homes, pet tech, neurotherapy and even AI. People can even try out electric cars, and the best e-bikes for seniors and dispose their old technology."
Hardinge said one of the underlying issues Digital Seniors has addressed repeatedly has been ageism, particularly misconceptions about seniors and their capabilities.
"Common stereotypes, such as seniors being lonely or frail, do not apply to everyone. Digital Seniors emphasises the need to challenge these outdated notions and recognise the diverse lifestyles among older adults, many of whom lead active, independent lives well into their later years."
An example of this is organisations like Life Curve from the UK, which has researched aging for decades. They have found that only a small percentage of seniors experience frailty, contradicting the myth that aging inevitably means physical decline.
By empowering seniors to use technology, Digital Seniors has aligned with government priorities with helping older adults to stay connected and independent.
Hardinge said that retirement villages, for instance, could benefit from integrating digital support services into their offerings. Residents and their families increasingly expect such services for communication and socialisation, but many facilities need more resources or infrastructure to meet these demands. Digital Seniors has advocated for including digital support as an essential service in aged-care environments, suggesting it could soon become as essential as other care services.
Digital Seniors has promoted collective action across sectors to address these complex issues. The expo has embodied this approach by bringing together businesses, non-profits, and government entities, creating a unified front for digital inclusion.
Hardinge said the collaboration has brought amazing people together and even sectors, acknowledging that digital inclusion is not the responsibility of any single entity but rather a shared social commitment. With the support of organisations across sectors, Digital Seniors has continued to work towards a future where seniors are empowered, included, and valued participants in an increasingly digital society.
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