Connecting with the elderly online 1

CONNECTING WITH THE ELDERLY – ONLINE!

WENDY PRISCILLIA WONG HWEI CHERN
(B. Comm Studies [Hons],
Nanyang Technological University of Singapore)

A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF ARTS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND NEW MEDIA

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

2014


DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis is my original work and it has been written by me in
its entirety. I have duly acknowledged all the sources of information that have been
used in the thesis.

This thesis has also not been submitted for any degree in any university previously.

________________________________________

WENDY PRISCILLIA WONG HWEI CHERN
8 JANUARY 2014


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Being able to go to graduate school to learn, unlearn and relearn has been a
tremendously fulfilling and precious journey for me. I would like to express my deep
gratitude and appreciation to the following who have helped me in more ways than
one.

1)

Prof Wendy Rogers
Human Factors & Aging Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

2)

Assoc Prof Gerald Koh Choon Huat
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Health System,
Singapore

3)

Ms Chua Siew Luang
Chinese Development Assistance Council, Singapore

4)

Ms Soo Fern
Good Life Centre, Marine Parade Family Service Centre, Singapore

5)

Mdm Kwee Sioe Wan, Mr Toh Weng Kai and all those who recommended
their friends to be part of my research

6)

Ms Retna M, Ms Jael Ng, Ms Goh Tong Jee and Ms Edeline Tan

7)

Assoc Prof Milagros Rivera

8)

Assoc Prof Lim Sun Sun
Dept of Communications and New Media, National University of Singapore

9)

Dr Tracy Loh
Dept of Communications and New Media, National University of Singapore

10)

My Family


DEDICATION

I dedicate this Thesis to all the participants who showed me what it took to continue
to learn in the midst of all their struggles.

I would also like to dedicate this work to my Grandparents – especially my late

paternal Grandma, whom I did not get the chance to know.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement …………………………………………...…………………….. iii
Abstract ………………..……………………………….…….….………………...... 1
Introduction ..…………………………………………………...……………...…… 3
Literature Review ………………………………...…………………………...….... 6
Methodology …………………………………………………………………….… 19
Interview Protocol and Procedure ….…………………………..……………... 19
Demographic Profile ……………………………………………………………….….. 23
Interview/Focus Group Questions …………………………………………….……... 24
Data Analysis ………………………………………………………………………..….. 25
Hermeneutics in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) .……….…... 30
Results …………..……………………………………………………………….… 33
Research Question 1 ……………………...………………………...……...…... 34
Practical Functionalities …………………………………………………...….. 34
Calendar and Address Book Functions ………………………………….....….. 35
Consumption of news online …………………………………………….....….. 37
Online Health Tips ………………………………...…………………….....….. 38
Performing online transactions, sending emails or
information gathering online ……………………………………………………….… 39
Perceived benefits of the Internet and new media ……………………………… 41
Research Question 2 ……………………...………………………...……...…... 44
Relationship with Family post-retirement ……………………...……..…...…... 45


Relationship with Friends …………………………………………………….... 46
Impersonal nature of technology ……………………………………………….. 48

Research Question 3 ……………………...………………………...……...….... 50
Giving back to society through IT …………………………………………….... 51
Social and Psychological Impact of new media and technologies …………...… 52
Discussions ……..………………………………………………………………..… 55
Conclusions ……..………………………………………………………….……… 60
Appendices ……..……………….………………………………………………… 64
Bibliography ………………………………………………………………....…..... 70