Introducing Computers to Frail Residents of Homes for the Aged

This paper presents the results of a half‐year study of the use of a number of computerized tools by residents of a nursing home and day care center for the elderly in Israel. A total of 33 residents (research n = 19; control n = 14) participated in the study. Results indicated that the residents were eager to learn and to use the new tools. Physical disabilities apart, the subjects experienced no special problems in using regular software. Men used the computer for longer periods than women, but the gender differences were not very large and may have been a result of the kind of software used. The preferred software in terms of minutes of use was word processing. Both research and control group members improved their attitudes toward the computer on the computer attitude scale (Nickell & Pinto, 1986). The characteristics of computerized tools and their utilization are indicated. Guidelines for planning for and using computerized tools in other settings for elderly people are suggested.