Associate Professor

Department of Psychology

Vasant Kanya Mahavidyalaya

Varanasi  Uttar Pradesh, India 

Assistant Professor

Department of Psychology

O.P. Jindal Global University

Sonipat, Haryana, India

This chapter aims to underscore the unique challenges faced by the elderly population during the COVID-19 crisis and to explore their resilience in overcoming these adversities through the adoption of technology. The chapter is divided into three sections. Section one presents a brief summary of the adverse effects of COVID 19 experienced worldwide with special focus on the multiple physical and psychological complications reported by elderly population in general. The second section is devoted to the discussion of the transition from the normal ways of living to the new normal. A lifestyle requiring a fairly high level of dependency on technology than ever before. It would be interesting as well as insightful to peep into the apprehensions and difficulties elderly people faced while switching from real world to virtual world. The third and the last section of the chapter reviews the larger and lasting impact of becoming techno-friendly for elderly population. It attempts to understand the role of technology as potential saviour during and after the COVID era.

Brief overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on daily life.

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected our lives since its emergence in late 2019 (Cao & Liu, 2021). The novel coronavirus, designated SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in Wuhan, China, and quickly spread across the nations, leading the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic on March 11, 2020 (Cao & Liu, 2021) (Ali et al., 2020). The rapid and uncontrolled transmission of the virus has resulted in over 19 million confirmed cases and nearly 720,000 fatalities worldwide as of early August 2020 (Yuan et al., 2021). What began as a cluster of pneumonia-like cases in one Chinese city soon escalated into the whole world, affecting nearly every aspect of daily life (Yuan et al., 2021). The pandemic was fatal for the entire mankind, but the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, those with pre-existing life-threatening conditions, and frontline workers, were at the highest risk (Panneer et al., 2022).

Building on the previous discussion, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the elderly, both physically and psychologically. A survey conducted by the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2020 revealed that over 80% of COVID-19-related deaths occurred among individuals aged 65 and older (Bialek et al., 2020; Li et al., 2020). This striking statistic highlights the heightened vulnerability of the elderly to the virus. A similar trend was seen in India, where the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that individuals aged 60 and above accounted for 51% of the 1,48,153 COVID-related deaths (Guitton, 2020). These figures collectively underscore the disproportionate physical toll the pandemic has had on the global elderly population."

Furthermore, due to the heightened risk of infection, many elderly individuals faced social avoidance, even from close family members and caregivers. This isolation was becoming gradually harsh for those living alone in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, where they have to live independently, as their children (who are the primary caregivers) have relocated for work and, at this time of crisis, were forced to live away from their parents. As a result, the pandemic deepened their loneliness and abandonment; the elderly of the house started craving regular familial and social interactions (Rana, 2020). In rural India, isolation took a different turn but had similar psychological consequences. The elder members of the family were often isolated as they were at high risk; social distancing within households and the fear of spreading the virus led to an emotional void. Ironically, "the measures taken for their safety adversely affect their psychological well-being and intensified the feelings of isolation and loneliness” (Rana, 2020).

While such caution was necessary to protect their physical health, it also led to unintended but serious psychological consequences. For the elderly, especially those already staying alone, the reduction in face-to-face interactions compounded feelings of loneliness and social detachment. This lack of engagement not only affected their emotional state but also deepened their sense of isolation, making the consequences of social distancing far more profound than originally anticipated (Sepúlveda-Loyola et al., 2020).

Santini and colleagues (2020) researched this problem, and they found that social isolation highly increases the risk of mental health illness. The pandemic triggered a surge in anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness among the elderly. The feeling of loneliness, compounded by fear of the virus, led to increased rates of insomnia, panic attacks, and depressive symptoms. Many elderly people reported feeling a loss of control over their lives. Ironically social distancing and limited contact were the only measures to control the spread of COVID-19, but these same measures adversely placed the elderly in a position of heightened emotional distress. Their study also highlighted that the inability to maintain regular social contact created a psychological burden that intensified the impact of the pandemic on this age group.

Need for adopting Technology by elderly during Covid-19

The only way for the elderly to survive in such a dire circumstance was to integrate digital technologies into their daily lives (Sinha et al., 2021). The implementation of strict lockdowns and social distancing protocols made technology usage important in maintaining relationships with loved ones and the community (Wang et al., 2021). Virtual platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and video conversations provided essential means of communication, hence reducing feelings of loneliness and anxiety (Wang et al., 2021). The use of technology enables information on the current pandemic status, health standards, and vaccination updates to be delivered to the elderly on time (Wang et al., 2021b). Telemedicine and internet health consultations were important throughout the epidemic. For senior citizens, particularly those with mobility challenges, technology provided virtual medical consultations, decreasing the need to physically visit healthcare facilities (Wang et al., 2021b). Online platforms for food, medicine, and key services played a significant role in assisting older people avoid excessive exposure by enabling home delivery possibilities (World Health Organization, 2022). Technology also gave access to learning platforms, games, and media, allowing elderly people to use their cognitive skills, divert from stress, and deal with the isolation of lockdown (Wang et al., 2021b). Thus, the use of digital technologies has emerged as a potential strategy for mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic on this vulnerable group (Garcia-Beltran et al., 2021).

Challenges in adopting Technology by elderly during Covid-19

Though we have discussed the need of adopting technology by elderly during covid-19 it is important to highlight the challenges faced by them in coping with this situation. One of the most significant barriers to technology adoption among the elderly during COVID-19 was the lack of digital literacy (Martínez-Alcalá et al., 2021). Many older adults were not familiar on how to operate modern devices like smartphones, tablets, or computers. Complex user interfaces, unfamiliar terminology, made it difficult for them to learn how to navigate apps, websites, or online platforms (Martínez-Alcalá et al., 2021).  For example, activities like setting up a Zoom call, downloading an app for online groceries, or using telemedicine services might seem straightforward to tech-savvy users, but for many elderly individuals, these tasks involved multiple learning procedure, which could lead to confusion, frustration, and reluctance to engage with technology (Martínez-Alcalá et al., 2021). The lack of access to in-person helps due to lockdowns further compounded this challenge (Morrison et al., 2023).

In addition to this, many elderly people, particularly those living in rural regions or with lower socio-economic status, encountered difficulty in just getting the essential equipment and infrastructure to interact with technology (Dow-Fleisner et al., 2022). Not all older individuals possess smartphones, tablets, or computers, and those that do may not have high-speed internet connection (Dow-Fleisner et al., 2022). Rural and economically disadvantaged older persons were especially impacted by this digital gap, since reliable internet access and inexpensive gadgets are typically missing in these regions (Dow-Fleisner et al., 2022). Even in urban cities, the cost of technology proved prohibitive for some older persons living on fixed incomes, restricting their capacity to acquire new equipment or pay for internet access (Martínez & Short, 2021).

Furthermore, age-related physical and cognitive deterioration also adds to a considerable hurdle for the elderly in using technology. Problems with vision, hearing, and dexterity make it difficult for older persons to engage with equipment developed for younger users (Albers et al., 2022). Small text, over-crowded interfaces, and touchscreens that needed precise motions or swipes were not necessarily suited for senior folks with vision problems, arthritis, or weak hand-eye coordination (Albers et al., 2022). Cognitive issues like memory loss, slower processing speeds, and trouble with multi-tasking further hindered the use of technology (Albers et al., 2022). For example, a senior person could struggle to remember several passwords, move between various programs, or follow online instructions that wanted rapid answers (Albers et al., 2022). These physical and cognitive constraints may make technology appear inaccessible and overpowering to them (Portacolone et al., 2020).

Researchers have observed that for many older folks, the quick change to technology during the epidemic created a feeling of fear and emotional resistance (Sinha et al., 2021). The unexpected need to depend on technology for actions they had previously accomplished without it—such as socializing, shopping, and getting healthcare—was overwhelming (Sinha et al., 2021). The unfamiliarity of the digital environment and the worry of making errors sometimes lead to anxiety and distress (Sinha et al., 2021). This resistance was strengthened by long-established habits and rituals that did not require technology. Older folks who had lived without cell phones or the internet for most of their lives were not necessarily willing to adopt these new technologies (Cham et al., 2021). The apparent complexity of digital gadgets, coupled with the need to learn rapidly at a moment of crisis, produced additional psychological hurdles to adoption (Cham et al., 2021).

Prior to COVID-19, many older adults depended on family members, friends, or community centres to assist them use technology (Haase et al., 2021). During the epidemic, the opportunity to seek in-person technical help was severely restricted. Meanwhile, the elderly are typically more prone to internet frauds, phishing attempts, and disinformation (Cham et al., 2021). This susceptibility constituted a major impediment in embracing technology during the epidemic, as many older persons were unwilling to participate in online activities because of worries of fraud or criminality (Cham et al., 2021) . Their unfamiliarity with digital safety measures, such as spotting fraudulent emails, choosing strong passwords, or controlling privacy settings, heightened their fear about using technology for activities like online banking, shopping, or even social networking (Cham et al., 2021). Some organizations and individuals provided remote tech assistance, this form of aid was not always readily accessible or effective. The lack of hands-on education made it difficult for older adults to solve technological difficulties, leading to greater irritation and a higher risk of quitting attempts to utilize technology (Layton et al., 2021).

Lastly, there was a cultural or generational split when it comes to technology usage. Some elderly people considered technology as useless or associated them with younger generations, generating a societal reluctance to embrace them (Selwyn et al., 2003). This attitude was accentuated by the notion that technology was either difficult or unrelated to their daily requirements (Selwyn et al., 2003). Furthermore, the elderly frequently found it difficult to comprehend the advantages of technology if they had successfully handled their life without it for so long (Selwyn et al., 2003). The epidemic, however, made technology virtually necessary for getting services, remaining connected, and managing health. Despite this, many elderly folks struggled to integrate their established patterns of life with the quickly changing digital reality (ref). However, this is just one side of the coin. The other side is much brighter. If an elderly person successfully overcomes the hindrances mentioned in the aforesaid paragraph, he/she may get greatly benefitted from adopting the world online (Hill et al., 2015). The next section examines the capacity of technology in enhancing the cognitive abilities of elderly and making them better functional than before.

Technology as facilitator

After a certain age, the elderly do not remain very open to new things and become confined to the conventional ways of doing things, they somehow become dependent on their children for information, decision-making and execution of that decision. Use of online services made the state-of-the-art information available at their doorstep. It simplified the exchange of information and facilitated discussion about a service or product with similar others, thereby helping them make proper decisions. The availability of various online shopping platforms, digital payment modes, and online apps like UrbanClap and Practo has made life easy, enhanced their self-sufficiency, confidence, and self-esteem. This “functional independence” of elderly population acts as a tonic to boost their self-esteem. It is capable of giving a sense of worth to them. They feel better connected to the world outside. It is possible to interact with like-minded people or join some hobby classes to relive unfulfilled dreams. So the  It keeps their brain active, reducing the risk of dementia and other age-related cognitive deterioration. In a nutshell it can be said that technology is not only something to be anxious about but also a solution to many of the old-age problems.

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