The Impact of Computer Technology on the Elderly
Marek van de Watering
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
rvdwate@few.vu.nl
Abstract
The impact of computer technology on elderly people is discussed. This is done by describing
the effects of computer use by elderly people and by considering age-related changes. Also,
the barriers elderly people encounter previous to or during the use of a computer are
examined. Various positive effects are adressed, such as decreased feeling of loneliness by
using e-mail and a slower decrease of cognitive abilities by playing specific computer games.
Finally, the business perspective as well as future possibilities in this area are discussed, in
order to show that this impact can and should be even greater.