BRIDGING THE DIGITAL GAP FOR OLDER ADULTS IN KOREA - Direct Care Workers as Mediators

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

Rapid aging in South Korea increases the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for older adults’ well-being and social engagement, yet barriers such as low digital literacy, device anxiety, and fear of scams persist. Semi-structured interviews with ten direct care workers across adult daycare and home care settings examined how they facilitate older adults’ digital use. Thematic analysis shows care workers acting as demonstrators, troubleshooters, and motivators through hands-on step-by-step guidance and emotional support. Despite benefits, they report concerns about privacy, data security, privacy risks, and added workload, worsened by limited training. Tailored solutions and person-centered teaching are recommended, alongside targeted training and stronger institutional support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Research aims and context

Methods

Key findings

Challenges and concerns

Implications and future research

824 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2795 BRIDGING THE DIGITAL GAP FOR OLDER ADULTS IN KOREA: DIRECT CARE WORKERS AS MEDIATORS Jeongone Seo1, Kyung-Zoon Hong1, and Sol Baik2, 1. Sungkyukwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States In the face of rapid aging in South Korea, information and communication technologies (ICTs) hold significant potential for improving older adults’ well-being and social engagement. Yet many older adults experience barriers such as low digital literacy, device anxiety, and fear of scams. This study explored direct care workers’ experiences facilitating digital usage of older adults in the community. We conducted semi-structured interviews with ten direct care workers at adult daycare and home care settings in Korea. Our qualitative thematic analysis revealed that care workers played pivotal roles as demonstrators, troubleshooters, and motivators. Many older adults, especially those with mild cognitive impairments, relied on hands-on demonstrations and repeated, step-by-step guidance with emotional support from care workers. While care workers viewed tools (e.g., smartphones, tablets, and AI-based devices) as helpful in enhancing the social connections of older adults and monitoring their safety, they also expressed concerns about privacy, data security, and increased workloads. Furthermore, financial constraints and Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 825 limited formal training hindered care workers’ effectiveness. Findings suggest that older adults benefit most when digital solutions are tailored to their familiar interests, combined with person-centered teaching strategies. For care workers, targeted training and stronger institutional support are crucial to fostering technology adoption. By emphasizing the direct care workers’mediator role, this study contributes practical insights for better integrating digital health and social tools into long-term care settings in Korea. Future research will expand the findings with larger samples and cross-cultural comparisons to refine strategies for empowering older adults with effective digital usage.

FAQs

What roles do care workers play in helping older adults use digital tools?

Care workers act as demonstrators, troubleshooters, and motivators, providing hands-on step-by-step guidance and emotional support, particularly for older adults with mild cognitive impairments.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Angel