Older Adults and Video Communications: A Case Study

Abstract

Research is absent on how older adults are using video communications – online video, video calls and videoconferencing – that offer rich opportunities for social connection. Our case study focuses on how and why 16 older adults (55 to 77 years old) in a small Canadian city are using video communications. We conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses to explore their use of video communications, their motivation for using it, the barriers and challenges they face, and the benefits they experience – in particular social presence. Our findings show that older adults are regular users of information and communication technologies (ICT). None of the participants in our study fit the ageist stereotype of frail or disinterested in technologies.