ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to summarize the state of knowledge regarding information technologies and older adults. It explains to motivate researchers and system designers to continue to consider older adults as an important population within the human-computer interaction community. Data from a recent focus group study that examined issues regarding barriers confronting older adults seeking employment found that the most common perceived obstacles to employment included age, insufficient qualifications, and lack of technical/computer skills. In many work settings such as department stores, airlines, hotels, utility and health insurance companies, and educational institutions, workers are required to search through computer databases and access information to respond to customer requests. Many consumers say that the Internet has had a significant impact on their health care behavior in terms of the way they care for themselves or for others. The fact that consumers have access to e-health applications has significant implications for both patients and providers.
