Older Women Online: Engaged, Active and Independent

Older women in our communities are becoming marginalised through their lack of technical awareness and capability. Digital applications now dominate the way governments, business, communities and even families interact with all of us. As respected elders of our society, women not only need access to services which support their wellbeing as they age, but also have an important role to play in passing on their knowledge and wisdom to new generations. Through digital exclusion, older women often relied on others, particularly their spouses, to transact online activities. As they become carers for their ageing spouse or are widowed, they need to learn to do this for themselves. An action research approach recorded responses of seniors to individualised computer-learning sessions. Our research shows that they can learn digital skills, and this is leading to greater independence and social wellbeing. Everyone benefits as our women elders become digitally included.