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Tougaloo College Intergenerational Digital Literacy and Fitness (iDigiLIT) Project: Bridging the Gap Between Older and Younger Generations through Technology


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Sandra Hayes, DrPH, Owens Health and Wellness Center, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS
Background: Today, more than 70 million Americans ages 50 and older suffer from at least one chronic condition. The rapid rise in chronic conditions can be attributed to the aging population and longer life expectancies due to improvements in technology. Older adults have special learning needs that differ from younger adults when it comes to technology.

Purpose: The iDigiLit project is a service learning project that pairs undergraduate students with older adults, residing in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties, to increase digital literacy among older adults and to fortify intergenerational relationships.

Methodology: The Tougaloo College Health and Wellness Center’s Intergenerational Literacy  (iDigiLit) program proposes to bridge the generational gap between youth and elderly populations by using peer educators (ages 18-24) as mentors/instructors for older populations (ages 50 and older) as they learn to navigate the new digital divide.

Evaluation: The program will be evaluated using: Attendance roster, Intake Survey, and satisfaction survey after each educational session, intergenerational perceptions survey, and AARP isolation assessment tool.

Results: Results will be reported upon completion of the program in September 2015.

Public Health Implications: Digital technology can empower seniors to better manage their health, stay connected to their communities, and get access to the services they need to remain independent in their homes and other community-based settings.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Communication and informatics
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe how technology can be used to promote healthier lifestyles among adults 50 and older.

Keyword(s): Aging, Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator on this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5001.0: Technology and Communication among Older Adults; Medicare and Medicaid Policy