Complete Schedule

Exploring the Role of Elderly Adults’ Internet Usage in Urban China

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

This study attempts to explore if obstacles and advantages of elderly internet usage models from developed countries could be replicated in the existing Chinese urban elderly care systems. In the past 30 years, China’s elderly population has increased rapidly. The traditional pattern of elderly care is encountering a severe challenge linked to current 4-2-1 family structure (four grandparents, two parents, and one child) (Zhang, Gu, & Luo, 2014), due to rapid urbanization, and diminishing government assistance. The topic of elderly care in the changing socioeconomic context of China is a neglected subject. In this paper perspectives and needs of elderly are clarified by analyzing existing urban elderly care models in China. The paper points out that internet usage satisfies social network and health information needs of elderly adults who are relatively healthy, both mentally and physically. The data suggests a combination of family-based support, a community-based support, and an elderly health insurance by the Chinese government significantly impact development of wellbeing policies of elderly in China.

Start Date

25-4-2015 1:30 PM

End Date

25-4-2015 2:30 PM

Faculty Advisor

Ga-Young Choi

Comments

Moderator: Anne Woodrick, Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

Location: Sabin Hall, Room 25

File Format

application/pdf

Electronic copy is not available through UNI ScholarWorks.

Comments?

Share

COinS
 
Apr 25th, 1:30 PM Apr 25th, 2:30 PM

Exploring the Role of Elderly Adults’ Internet Usage in Urban China

This study attempts to explore if obstacles and advantages of elderly internet usage models from developed countries could be replicated in the existing Chinese urban elderly care systems. In the past 30 years, China’s elderly population has increased rapidly. The traditional pattern of elderly care is encountering a severe challenge linked to current 4-2-1 family structure (four grandparents, two parents, and one child) (Zhang, Gu, & Luo, 2014), due to rapid urbanization, and diminishing government assistance. The topic of elderly care in the changing socioeconomic context of China is a neglected subject. In this paper perspectives and needs of elderly are clarified by analyzing existing urban elderly care models in China. The paper points out that internet usage satisfies social network and health information needs of elderly adults who are relatively healthy, both mentally and physically. The data suggests a combination of family-based support, a community-based support, and an elderly health insurance by the Chinese government significantly impact development of wellbeing policies of elderly in China.