Home

Background  

Organizers

Conferences   

Research Activities

Membership

Resources

Organizer: Sunkyo Kwon, Ph.D.	Berlin Center of Public Health, Germany
"How Easy is the Internet -- How Difficult Are Computers? Teaching and Training the Use of Technology to Elders"
Participants: A.S. Bucur (Distance Learning Division, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, LA 90089-0191) R.W. Morrell (Gerontology Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-1775) R.E. Morgan, Jr. (SPRY Foundation, Washington, DC) L.M. Pearson (Center on Aging and Aged, Indiana University, 2805 East Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN 47408-2698) D.F. Mahoney & B. Tarlow (HRCA Research and Training Institute, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged, 1200 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131) Discussant: G. Lesnoff-Caravaglia (Division on Aging, College of Health and Human Services, Ohio University).
This symposium provides a forum of discussing training issues in communication and information technology (particularly the Internet) by senior citizens. The session begins with reports on the phenomena of lower PC and Internet usage by the elderly, access barriers, and a synopsis on past and current research about teaching and training electronic technology to elders. Searching for trustworthy health information on the Net is an important concern that involves age-specific, well-planned curriculum development. Different problems have to be tackled when providing PC services and lessons to elderly in the community. Strict procedures of verifying that a training took place is another aspect discussed. Such protocols may well extend in modified forms to day-to-day senior citizens' training programs as technology becomes even more affordable. However, a main emphasis of the symposium lies in practical aspects of training in information technology that can already be implemented today, given that the extent of material and immaterial investment, efficiency and effectiveness are properly taken into account.   Sunday, 21 November, 1999 15:45 - 17:30 hs Hilton, Continental 8
Here is the link to the symposium abstracts.

top...
bottom...

Organizer: Sunkyo Kwon, Ph.D.	Berlin Center of Public Health, Germany
"Beyond ANOVAs and Open-Ended Questions: Methodological Approaches in Technology and Aging"
Participants: D.F. Mahoney (HRCA Research and Training Institute, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged, 1200 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131) K.A. Smyth (Alzheimer Center, Case Western Reserve University/ University Hospitals of Cleveland, 12200 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120) J. Hammel (University of Illinois at Chicago, Depts. of Occupational Therapy & Disability and Human Development) D.M. Kutzik & A.P. Glascock (Center for Applied Neurogerontology, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104) K.V. Echt, R.W. Kressig, L.W. Boyette, A. Lloyd (Atlanta VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Center) Discussant: S.J. Czaja (Miami Center on Human Factors and Aging Research, Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida).
Diverse research, development, and quality assurance or evaluation matters in the field of gerontechnology may - due to unique subject matters and special investigative demands - require creativity, ingenuity and/or a deeper understanding of the repository of qualitative and quantitative methods available in and applicable to practice and science settings. It is the aim of this symposium to introduce and describe select approaches in data collection and analysis as utilized and developed in different projects. These descriptions are accompanied by examples and concrete findings from the field, the lab and/or real life. The methodological strategies and techniques covered can also be taken advantage of in a vast variety of other, non-technology-related contexts: Some are more general, others applicable only under specific circumstances. Technology coupled with the multidisciplinary field of gerontology has come a long way and the arsenal of instruments utilized in technology and aging can provide new methodological impetus to many subfields of gerontology.   Saturday, 20 November, 1999 10:15 - 12:00 hs Hilton, Union Square 21
Here is the link to the symposium abstracts.

top...
bottom...

Organizer: Joy Hammel, Ph.D.	University of Illinois at Chicago, Depts. of Occupational Therapy and Disability and Human Development, 1919 W. Taylor St., Rm. 311, Chicago, IL 60612
"Using Adapted and Assistive Technology with Older Adults to Enable Self Care, Home and Information Management"
Participants: Mary Hamil Parker, Senior Housing Research Group, Alexandria, VA James Watzke, Nancy Paris-Seeley & Silvia Raschke, Health Applied Research & Development Technology Centre, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC CANADA Joy Hammel & Tamar Heller, University of Illinois at Chicago, RRTC on Aging and Mental Retardation, Chicago, IL Robin Ritter, AARP, Washington DC Alexander Bucur, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California & Albert Rizzo, School of Gerontology/IMSC, Los Angeles, CA Discussant: Sunkyo Kwon, Berlin Center of Public Health
This symposium focuses on designing and evaluating technology products and services to maintain or improve functional and community living skills among older adults as they operate across settings in a variety of life roles, including self care/health manager, home manager, and information manager/resource coordinator. Strategies for adapting information, therapeutic and assistive technologies for use by older adults, and their families, caregivers and related community staff, are discussed. Factors influencing consumer satisfaction and long term technology use will be compared across diverse groups of older adults experiencing age and disability-related functional issues and impairments.   Monday, 22 November, 1999 15:45 - 17:30 hs Hilton, Union Square 14
Here is the link to the symposium abstracts.

top...
bottom...

Organizer: M.H. Parker, Ph.D.	MKHP Associates, L.L.C., 112 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA. 22314
"Virtuality Meets Reality: Practical Approaches to Distance Communications for Elders"
Participants: D. Lansdale (Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.) D. McConatha (West Chester University of Pennsylvania) M. H. Parker (MKHP Associates, L.L.C.) Discussants: S. Kwon (Berlin Center of Public Health, Berlin Germany) S. Keller (Gerontology Center, Penn State University, University Park, 16802)
The World Wide Web and developments in audiovisual communications provide new ways to provide training which can improve care for older persons and to provide ways even frail, home-bound elders can maintain their involvement in the wider community. New programs and technologies to make it easier for elderly users to learn how to access the world-wide web, without extensive computer training. New training methods utilize distance learning applications, web-based educational programming for "non- traditional" users, such as the CADRe Model of Distance Learning for Older Adults, used with older migrant farm workers, and palliative care training for paraprofessional health care workers, volunteers and family caregivers. Presenters will discuss their own research and demonstration projects which utilize these new technologies, presenting evaluation data, case studies and anecdotal material. Discussion will explore the advantages and pitfalls of distance training and present teaching modules which illustrate how to effectively utilize these challenging new ways to benefit even isolated elders, even in the most remote areas, to contact family, friends and obtain useful health and other information.   Saturday, 20 November, 1999 13:30 - 15:15 hs Hilton, Union Square 25
Here is the link to the symposium abstracts.

top...
bottom...

Conveners: Gari Lesnoff-Caravaglia, Ph.D.1 & Sunkyo Kwon, Ph.D.2	1Division on Aging, College of Health and Human Services, Ohio University; 2Berlin Center of Public Health, Germany
"Business Meeting of the GSA Formal Interest Group - Technology & Aging with Educational Session"
Contents:   The group's meeting will feature a brief business meeting (agenda for the coming year, including symposia, group activities, potential publications), and an educational session with the following speakers:   a) Gari Lesnoff-Caravaglia (School of Health Sciences, Ohio University Athens, OH) "Technology and the Older Woman"   b) K. Victor Ujimoto (Univ. Guelph, Canada): "Human Factors, Ergonomics, and the Enhancement of Well-Being of the Elderly" (main focus: how human factors and ergonomics can facilitate and enhance the general well-being of older adults; examination of age-related issues of safety and technology found in everyday life; overview of recent technological developments)   c) Sara J. Czaja (Univ. of Miami School of Medicine): "The Potential Role of Technology in Improving the Health of Older Adults" (main focus: Problems for older people reg. access to health care; potentials of computer technology: WWW, monitoring, telemedicine; critical issues of usefulness, usability, esp. interface design with emphasis on the use of computer and communication technology)   d) Sunkyo Kwon (Berlin Center of Public Health, Germany), Heidrun Mollenkopf, Stefan Mix & Karin Gäng:" Functionality and Dysfunctionality of Gerontological Technology Classifications: Experiences and Results in Preparation of the Report for the Expert Task Force - 3rd Federal Report on Aging in Germany -" (main focus: overview of technology typologies; discussion of regional emphases, "technological universals" and the issue of accomodating the multidisciplinary demands of gerontechnology).   The group has also organized four symposia during the scientific sessions, as well as a post-conference workshop. Please peruse this page and/or see our main page for more information.   Sunday, 21 November, 1999 19:00 - 20:45 hs Hilton, Continental 8

top...
bottom...

Chairperson: David Lansdale, Ph.D.	Program Coordinator, Geriatrics in Primary Care, Stanford Faculty Development Program, School of Medicine, Stanford University
Post-Conference Workshop "Enabled Elders on the Information Superhighway: Community Building Success Stories from Palo Alto"
Co-Chairs: Cliff Barnett, Ph.D., Stanford University, Dept. of Anthropology; Sunkyo Kwon, Ph.D., Berlin Center of Public Health, Germany
Presenters: Ruth Hyman, nonagenarian, great grandmother, trainer Pauline Allen, septagenarian, grandmother, trainer Larry Hunter, octagenarian, great grandfather, lead facilitator Myra Chang, septagenarian, grandmother, lead facilitator Catherine Young, nonagenarian, great grandmother, learner
Purpose: This workshop has been developed as an awareness-raising, stimulating, and thought-provoking experience for gerontological practitioners and researchers at all levels of experience. Rarely are subjects in scientific experiments given opportunity to share their personal perspectives first-hand. This workshop is a forum for and with frail elders in assisted living and continuum of care communities to discuss their experiences with email and the Internet. LinkAges developed a train-the-trainer dissemination program, based on the theoretical tenets of social networks (Cohen), self-efficacy theory (Bandura), and the diffusion of innovations (Rogers). In the Palo Alto Commons, elders taught their peers in small group settings to send and receive email, and to search for information on the World Wide Web, using WebTV devices located in communal settings. The result: Interested residents learned how to "drive" the WebTV sets, gaining access to communication with family (especially grandchildren), friends, and health care providers. Hence, the project provided a valuable venue for building community and promoting healthy interdependence for otherwise isolated, dependent, and despondent elders. The LinkAges approach will be explained, compared with alternative approaches and discussed with the audience.   Course Objectives: 1. Sensitize gerontologists and provide valuable insights into the barriers and benefits older adults face in adopting the technology of email and the World Wide Web. 2. Demonstrate the value for promoting community and reducing isolation for isolated institutionalized elders by developing programs based on sound scientific theory. 3. Explore new applications that the audience may be able to adopt in their own work and research settings: Particularly those that enable frail elders through support groups and appropriate facilitation to manage their chronic illnesses more effectively.   Workshop Format: Introductory presentation, roundtable discussion, with individual accounts by each panelist, followed by a question-and-answer period facilitated by the chairperson, interactive discussion with the workshop participants. Intensive discussion about the project and different training formats.   Tuesday, 23 November, 1999 9:00 - 12:00 hs Hilton, Union Square 22

top...
bottom...