Diverse aging and health policy for digital aging futures

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Title

Handbook of Aging, Health and Public Policy

Publisher

Springer, Singapore

School

School of Arts and Humanities

RAS ID

60427

Comments

Baldassar, L., Stevens, C., Krzyzowski, L., & Jones, B. (2023). Diverse aging and health policy for digital aging futures. In S. I. Rajan (Ed.), Handbook of Aging, Health and Public Policy (pp. 1-21). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1914-4_88-1

Abstract

This chapter engages a diversity and intersectionality lens to examine the experiences of older people’s digital lives, including new forms of intimacy in later life, and the role of policy to mitigate the impact of digital divides in a world where both health services and social connection are increasingly mediated online. Research findings about two diverse older populations in Australia, Chinese grandparent migrants and older LGBTIQ+ people, highlight the determinants and disruptions, benefits, and risks, of digital engagement. Practices of digital kinning and digital homing are central to social well-being for many older people, particularly those living in transnational families who draw support from non-proximate and virtual networks. Findings demonstrate the need for facilitated digital literacy to support the digital citizenship of older people and the importance of recognizing this role in policy development. The chapter concludes with a discussion of policy considerations to support digital aging futures.

DOI

10.1007/978-981-16-1914-4_88-1

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