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As mentioned previously, technology is progressing and developing at a pace that has

never been seen before. For example, the most basic telephones and telegraphs have given way,
within the span of only one hundred years, to mobile phones, laptops, and other technology that
are on the cusp of becoming standard office equipment. This shows that the 21st-century
workplace is quite different from the workplace that most older employees encountered over
their careers because of the ubiquitous availability of technological devices.
According to Smith (2014), when it comes to embracing new technology, older
individuals confront several specific obstacles and obstacles. It begins with physical obstacles to
utilizing technology. Many older workers have physical conditions that make it hard for them to
utilize technology. Aging has a significant impact on both physical dexterity and visual skills.
Certain conditions, such as chronic pain and arthritis, Alzheimer's, etc., might impede patients
from remembering and participating in everyday tasks and tampering with hand-held mobile
devices or computers (CareVision 2017). Moreover, changes in color perception, visual acuity,
and susceptibility to glare with advancing age may make it difficult to see the information
presented on screens (Charness and Boot 2009). Yellowing of the lens and presbyopia are two
examples of age-related changes that may occur in the eye's capacity for perception. Therefore,
older employees needed help distinguishing between blue and green typefaces and reading blue-
and-green menus. Miniaturization trends are an additional factor hurting their health while using
technology. As previously said, technical equipment is shrinking in size. According to Mayhorn
and Mendat (2006), changes in color vision and contrast sensitivity lead older workers to have
trouble seeing details, distance, and speed estimates. Fitts' Law outlines the relationship between
the size and distance of a target and a motor manipulation difficulty index (Fitts 1954). When the
target is tiny, the person using the instrument needs more motor control and accuracy. For this
reason, in addition to their health, the trend toward the miniaturization and portability of
technical gadgets may provide unique challenges for older employees who are charged with
utilizing such devices.
Furthermore, their previous behaviors and attitudes toward technology are also essential
factors. In a broad sense, older people constitute a diverse population. Individual variations in
cognition, perception, and technology utilization are substantial. The older workers continue to
adhere to their previous working practices, meaning they believe they can do all duties without
technological assistance. Seniors often have a smaller context within which they may absorb new
information. A second hurdle encountered by some individuals has less to do with technology
and more with their personal feelings about it. According to Ellis and Allair (1999), age and
computer phobia adversely influence interest in technology. The fast evolution of workplace
technology may strain technology. A lack of knowledge, limited computer skills, and an old-
fashioned way of thinking cause stress in technology. Some older workers may be scared of this
high-tech app because they need to learn how to use its parts, like the touch screen, and do not
believe they can learn how to use it. Fears of destroying the equipment, seeming silly, or losing
control may also inhibit attempts to teach employees (Mayhorn and Thompson 2012). Due to
these factors, some older employees may be vulnerable to technological advancements,
influencing their views toward and adopting new technologies. Consequently, although older
workers have experience with in-depth knowledge in their field of work, they may be gradually
eliminated from the labor workforce.

Smith, A (2014) ‘Older Adults and Technology Use’, Pew Research Center website, accessed 11
December 2022 https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-
use/
CareVision (2017) ‘ Top 5 Challenges for Seniors Using Technology’, CareVision website,
accessed 11 December 2022 https://carevision.com/top-5-challenges-seniors-using-technology-2/
Charness N and Boot W (2009) 'Aging and information technology use: Potential and barriers',
Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(5), 253-258, doi: 10.1111/j.1467-
8721.2009.01647.x
Mayhorn CB and Mendat CC (2006) 'Age-related cognitive and perceptual factors that influence
computer usage', International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors, 575-578,
doi:10.1201/9780849375477
Fitts PM (1954) ' The information capacity of the human motor system in controlling the
amplitude of movement', Journal of Experimental Psychology, 47, 381-391, doi:
10.1037/h0055392
Ellis RD and Allaire JC (1999) 'Modeling computer interest in older adults: The role of age,
computer knowledge, and computer anxiety', Human Factors, 41(3), 345 - 355, doi:
10.1518/001872099779610996
Mayhorn C and Thompson LF (2012) 'Aging Workers and Technology', Oxford Academic, 342-
362, doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195385052.013.0113

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