Using Computer Technology with Older Adults

Abstract A pilot study was conducted with 44 elderly individuals, aged 55 to 87 years old, in a community-based senior citizen's center to test the effectiveness of using a CD-ROM based interactive multimedia program to teach older adults about advanced directives, such as a living will and durable power of attorney for health care. Thirty elders completed the interactive program, and 14 elders served as a control group, in a pretest-posttest design. Elders using the interactive program showed an increase in knowledge scores, but elders in the control group did not. Attitudes about advanced directives showed some improvement in both groups. This pilot study suggests that interactive multimedia computer technology can be an effective method of teaching important information to older adults.

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