Internet use problems among older and younger caregivers

The purpose of this study was to describe family caregivers' reported use of the Internet to obtain information and to see if use was different among older versus younger caregivers. Focus group participants included 43 spouse and nonspouse family caregivers. Using NVivo and SPSS, a mixed quantitative and qualitative analysis was used to answer the research questions. Mean reported problems (M= 1.85, SD = 2.7) using the Internet in the 65 years and older age group was significantly different from the number of problems (M = .57, SD = 1.0) reported by those under 65 years old (t(41) = 2.23, p = .029). Although not statistically significant, among caregivers reporting perceived problems with the Internet, older age was associated with a higher number of reported problems (r =.387, p = .069). Comments regarding problems differed among the older and younger caregivers. Older caregiver comments were categorized into issues about barriers to use, such as needing help to use, satisfied with old fashioned methods of getting information, prefer face-to-face interaction, not necessary to use at this stage of life, fear of computers and machines, mental blocks to using, don't have a computer and don't want to get one. Younger participants reported problems were categorized into issues about the technology limitations such as too time consuming to use, too many hits generated when searching, taking too long to load screen information. Implications are that Internet sites designed to meet caregiving information needs may not be accessible or useful for many older caregivers.