Information Issues for Older Americans

Information Issues for Older Americans is a book that examines information needs, behavior, and policy related to older Americans, using a variety of lenses to understand the information issues that they face in their everyday lives. It is a contribution to the academic literatures on information studies and aging and is intended to be generally readable and accessible to the educated public and professionals who serve older Americans.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The United States is home to over 50 million individuals aged 65 and above, making it the fastest-growing age sector in the country over the decade 2010-2019. This demographic shift presents both challenges and opportunities for seniors, who must navigate a range of transitions, including shifting from salary to Social Security and retirement funds, managing health concerns, and exploring new avenues for relaxation and second careers. While seniors possess a wealth of experience and honed skills, they also encounter new situations that require them to learn new information and adapt to new ways of doing things.

Information Issues for Older Americans is a groundbreaking initiative that brings together faculty from top Information Schools to examine the information needs, behaviors, and policies related to older Americans. These scholars employ a diverse range of lenses to understand the complex information issues that older individuals face in their daily lives. These lenses encompass information literacy, which considers the consumer and provider perspectives; information behavior, which explores search strategies, evaluation of information quality and relevance, sources used, questions raised, and how these patterns change over time; information ecologies, which consider the interplay between an individual's private and professional worlds; privacy concerns that arise in everyday life; information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the skills of users, the expected and unexpected uses of these technologies, and their positive and negative impacts; the use of ICTs to augment human intelligence and physical skills (human-computer interaction and design); and the integration of ICTs with traditional information institutions such as libraries, museums, and social clubs to build strong communities.

By examining these diverse perspectives, Information Issues for Older Americans seeks to provide valuable insights into how older Americans can navigate the digital landscape and leverage technology to enhance their well-being, engage with their communities, and remain active and informed participants in society. The initiative aims to foster a better understanding of the information needs and challenges faced by older Americans, and to develop strategies and policies that promote their access to high-quality information and support their active engagement with the digital world.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 228 x 153 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538188323