Cell phone and technology use by octogenarians

INTRODUCTION Many countries, including New Zealand, have an aging population and new technologies such as cell phones may be useful for older people. AIM To examine cell phone and technology use by octogenarians. METHODS Te Puawaitanga O Nga Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu- Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study In New Zealand (LILACs NZ) cohort study data of Maori (aged 80-90 years, 11-year age band) and non-Maori (aged 85 years, 1-year age band) followed for 3 years was used to describe the prevalence among study participants of the use of the internet, cell phones and watching pay-per-view television. Association of these activities with living arrangement, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive respiratory disease and participants' cognition were examined. RESULTS Technology use was relatively low among study octogenarians. Fewer Maori used cell phones and the internet (16% and 6%) than non-Maori (30% and 19%). Maori participants supported only by a pension were less likely to use cell phones than Maori with more income. More men watched pay-per-view television (e.g. SKY) than women. Living alone and having chronic lung disease were associated with not watching pay-per-view television. Participants who used the internet had higher cognition scores than others. Non-Maori women were less likely to watch pay-per-view television and non-Maori on a pension only were less likely to watch pay-per-view television than people on a higher income. Participants who lived alone were less likely to watch pay-per-view. CONCLUSION Relatively low use of technology may limit potential for health technology innovation for people of advanced age. Socioeconomic and ethnic disparities will amplify this.