ICT and the elderly from a social-theoretical perspective linked to the aging process

Abstract

Studies show that the information and communication technologies are important elements for the quality of the process of growing old. This article has the objective of examining how theories and theoretical models can help us to reflect about the transformations that occur in the course of life of old individuals, as well as the adjustments to the transformations in the technological context. In the gerontechnology perspective, we discuss the theories of life course, the concept of generation, the theories of disengagement and activity, the selective optimization and compensation model and the theory of innovation of successful aging. We conclude that the theoriesareuseful in providing a more profound understanding of social events and their settings and that the elderly have the possibility of being active agents with the power to change the nature of their social environments through the use of information and communication technologies.