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Supporting older people in a digital society

Supporting older people in a digital society

Older people must be supported to participate fully in an increasingly digital society. They must have opportunities to acquire and maintain the digital skills they need. Older people who do not use digital devices and services must be guaranteed equal opportunities to access information, manage their affairs, participate and influence societal matters.

Digitalisation creates challenges for many older people

The digitalisation of everyday life and the increasing use of digital channels for dealing with public authorities create challenges for a significant number of older people. Without digital devices and services, it has become considerably difficult, or even impossible, to manage essential matters such as accessing social welfare and healthcare services, dealing with Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland), as well as handling essential banking, insurance, tax and postal matters.

Moreover, participating in decision-making within a housing company, shopping, or visiting a restaurant or café can present significant challenges. Information about public transport timetables is often unavailable, travel tickets can be difficult to purchase, and parking fees prove impossible to pay. Similarly, information on hobby groups is often difficult to access, and registering for activities may be impossible.

Among people aged 65 and over living in Finland, as many as 500,000–600,000 have no basic digital skills at all or lack sufficient skills to manage their affairs independently through digital services. Independent use of digital services is least common amongst the oldest age groups and among older people whose education is limited to basic education. Older people with poor health, reduced functional capacity or limited financial resorces are also more likely than others to be excluded from digital services.

Why is it important to support older people in a digital society?

It is essential to make national decisions on how to ensure that older people can participate fully in an increasingly digital society. Older people must have a genuine, equal opportunity to access information, manage their affairs, and exert influence, regardless of their level of digital skills.

Recommendations of the Ombudsman for Older People

The Ombudsman for Older People recommends the following measures to improve the position of older people and support their ability to participate in an increasingly digital society:

Require all municipalities to provide older residents with appropriate training to acquire and maintain basic digital skills, and to access digital services safely.
Establish more Suomi-piste service points to ensure access to information and public services throughout the country for people who do not use digital devices and those who require digital support.
Safeguard the operating conditions of organisations that provide digital support for older people.
Assess the need for regulation concerning acting on behalf of another person in digital services and accessing digital services with the assistance of another person, taking into account the information security and data protection of older people.
Improve the accessibility, inclusiveness and usability of digital devices and services.
Ensure that responsibility for addressing issues relating to digitalisation and equality is clearly assigned within Parliament and the Government.

Supporting older people in a digital society

Digitalisation creates challenges for many older people

Why is it important to support older people in a digital society?

Recommendations of the Ombudsman for Older People

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