This project, Virtual-EngAge, addressed the links between two related challenges concerning digital exclusion and limited opportunities for engagement for older people. Virtual-EngAge aimed to examine how everyday communication devices (such as telephones, and internet enabled devices e.g. smart phones; iPads, etc) could be used by retirement association groups to strengthen their capacity for supporting older people to become socially connected, to access and disseminate critical information, and to advocate on key issues for older people. The project had three key contributions.
First, Virtual-EngAge illustrates the need to and difficulties in addressing the diverse preferences and digital literacies of grassroots membership for engagement. The findings also illustrate that the most significant challenges are structural in nature. An assets-based, capability-orientated policy and practice approach that is supported by state-level leadership and resourcing is required to equip ageing societies for an equitable digital transition. Second, Virtual-EngAge highlights that the transition to digital engagement for older people is still developing and advancing at different rates for different groups of older people. All modes of engagement must be respected, to ensure fair integration of technologies while preserving individual choice and autonomy. This includes fostering a supportive culture around digital technologies in later life and equipping communities to facilitate both in-person and technology-supported engagement. Third, Virtual-EngAge co-identified factors that support the development and adoption of a digital application, and the emergence of a sustainable approach to leveraging digitally-enhanced engagement. An enabling digital engagement ecosystem was proposed to draw together the considerations and to inform future actions.
