Reflecting on a student capstone experience on enhancing digital self-efficacy of older adults in long-term care

Abstract

Context Scholars (Gatti et al., 2017) believe that enhancing digital competence of seniors would be a key to closing the digital divide, which poses barriers to Active Ageing. Researches (De Schutter and Vandenabeele, 2008; Jung et al., 2009) suggest that entertainment game play could serve beyond cognitive training to improve older adults’ self-image, self-esteem and willingness to adapt to the information age. In the academic year 2017-18, five Master of Social Sciences (Gerontology) students at The University of Hong Kong sought to enhance digital competence of residents of a long-term care facility, by optimizing a positive intergenerational leisure gaming experience for seniors. Intervention Four one-to-one personalized tablet gaming sessions were held at a care-and-attention home. Participants were five baby boomers residing in long-term care with little or no prior experience in using smartphones. Exclusion criteria include aphasia, severe stroke and compromised fine motor skills. Residents were introduced to a selection of entertainment games such as arcade games (e.g. Fruit Ninja) and cooking simulation games (e.g. Cooking Mama) to co-play and to compete with students.