Mental health of the elderly requires special attention to technology, study, and digital literacy
Mental health of the elderly requires special attention to technology, study, and digital literacy
The book café session, held during Library Week, addressed the dual role of technology in the lives of older adults, the challenge of loneliness, and the necessity of enhancing digital and information literacy among this demographic, and called for the development of supportive policies that align with Iranian cultural norms to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
According to reports from Web Day University News, on the occasion of Library Week, Dr. Saeideh Mehrkian, Director of the University’s Central Library, congratulated all cultural and literary activists and spoke about the importance of a correct and comprehensive understanding of old age.
Dr. Peimane Shirinbayan, a faculty member in the Gerontology department of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, referred to the contradictory effects of technology and stated: while technology can play an effective role in the mental health of older adults and can reduce feelings of loneliness (especially through online and virtual communications), it can also cause unintended changes or increase isolation in some cases.
She emphasized the need to elevate digital and information literacy among older adults so they can properly benefit from contemporary technologies.
Dr. Shirinbayan, regarding mental health issues in old age, stressed that this period comes with numerous challenges that should not be ignored.
She identified the most influential factors on older adults’ mental health as loneliness, loss of loved ones, inability to accept new circumstances (such as retirement or chronic illnesses), anti-aging beliefs, and the level of social participation, and added that easy access to healthcare services and physicians also plays an important role in reducing anxiety for this group.
Dr. Shirinbayan highlighted the importance of preventing premature aging and self-care education from age 40 onward.
The necessity of educating families and society to create elder-friendly environments
Continuing, Dr. Saeed Khanjani, Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology at the university, viewed the services provided in the field of aging as requiring particular considerations and stressed the need to educate families and society to create elder-friendly environments.
He added: despite challenges such as the dilemma of balancing care for children and parents, we can, taking into account the cultural differences of society, develop our own culturally tailored edition for aging that is better and more beneficial.
At the end of this session, which included thanks and appreciation to library staff, the role of books and reading as effective tools in preserving cognitive and mental health across all ages, especially in old age, was reaffirmed.
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