Chapter 2

Meet Some Older Adults

Abstract

Discusses what to call older adults and why we chose 50 years of age as a cut off. Shows how usage of the Internet and digital devices varies across age. Introduces birth generations and technology generations. Explains the diversity of older adults. Presents six personas: fictional typical older adults that appear throughout the book to illustrate older adults' experiences with digital technology.

Keywords

Computer; Digital device; Digital technology; Diversity; Elderly; Elders; Internet; Older adults; Persona; Seniors; Smartphone; Tablet; Technology generations
 

The ironic thing is that aging is the one thing we have in common, if we’re lucky. – Barbara Beskind (90+-year old employee at the design firm IDEO) ...

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