Os usos de dispositivos móveis digitais por idosos: em uma universidade intergeracional no interior do Maranhão

Abstract

The growth of the elderly population occurs, abruptly, worldwide, and the consequences of this in all sectors are visible and will be more and more profound. It is estimated that in 2020 we will have for the first time in history the number of people over 60 years of age greater than that of children up to five years. To this end, providing the elderly with the means to make them think and act autonomously is essential to keep them active, especially with regard to their activities of daily living, providing means that take them out of the comfort zone and social exclusion. In this sense, digital mobile technologies are considered important tools for interaction / coexistence of the elderly to the contemporary changes that surround them, considering that these instruments vary with great intensity, constancy and a significant number of accessible options for use. Considering the increase in life expectancy and the search for active aging concomitant with the possibility of using digital technologies present in all age groups, this dissertation aims to understand the use of digital mobile devices by the elderly and what motivations lead to the use of these devices. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach, carried out in the extension program of the Open Intergenerational University of the State University of Maranhão, in the municipality of Grajaú/MA and had as participants 5 elderly people who participated assiduously in the program activities. The research was submitted to Plataforma Brasil and considered by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Federal University of Tocantins. The collection procedures were the application of a socioeconomic and demographic and depth questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the listening technique and full transcriptions. As for the characterization of the sample, the age group surveyed was between 60 and 74 years old, 04 being female, 03 considered themselves brown, 02 had completed high school and 05 of the interviewees were retired. We identified that the elderly feel pleasure in using such digital mobile devices, which represent a moment of sharing and well-being, and the need to use them is part of the daily routine of the interviewees. The smartphone was considered the main artifact used, revealing that communication has assumed a central role in contemporary societies, influenced by the use of technologies. The interaction provided to the elderly through the use of digital mobile devices provided a promotion of greater autonomy, where they use these instruments to maintain communication, especially with family members. The elderly public shows a significant interest in being connected to such artifacts through social networks or instant messaging applications. The Open Intergenerational University plays an important social role, giving them time, voice and space. Although the elderly report difficulties and limitations, it is believed that the use of digital mobile devices has a positive influence, keeping the elderly autonomous and constructing their own user profile, allowing them new roles and experiences in which they feel, in fact, active subjects belonging to this technological society