Technology to support the autonomy of the elderly: “We need to use it how we want to live”.
Technology, security and the elderly: “Learning to live with a digital society”.
Technology, an important ally for the elderly: “Everyone has the right to benefit from its benefits.”
Fundación Telefónica and UDP think about the role of technology in the lives of the elderly
Big Data to improve the quality of life of the elderly: “Data is a citizen’s right”
More and more older people are incorporating new technologies into their lives. And of course the benefits of these tools are multiplied: tasks are easier, it allows communication and obtains data in real time and can be used to monitor, prevent and treat health problems in time, among many other applications.
Three of the contributions of the third session of the II Congress on the Right to Personal Autonomy (@CongressDAP) from the Democratic Union of Pensioners and Retirees (@MayoresUDP), lists for the elderly and pensioners (@PlataformaPMPand Immerso (@Imser), supported by Fundación Telefónica (@FundacionTef) and in collaboration with 65YMÁS.
The presentations, held at Espacio Fundación Telefónica, were given by gerontologist and intervention expert, Lourdes Bermejo, telecommunications engineer and professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Miguel Ángel Valero, and cyber security expert from Telefónica Tech, Alexis Hostos.
In the first interview entitled Do we have the perspective/experience of the elderly?, Lourdes Bermejo spoke about the importance of elderly people having access to technology.
“All the tools must be used for a good life,” he said.
Of course, for this, these tools must serve personal autonomy. “Technology helps strengthen our weaknesses,” he commented. “It changes our souls,” he added.
He pointed out that the simple tools of inserting new tools into one’s whole life are already good in themselves.
“People who want to be old in old age will be happier,” he added.
Miguel Angel Valero made part of his original presentation for the silence of his speaker, when he recited in images and texts a “story/allegory” that presented a “technology” as old as man.
Called “internal” and “communicating,” this technology grew and matured over time until it became very valuable, he said.
With this allegory, Valero highlighted that the main power and mission of ICT is to connect people.
Safe technology, as well as friendly
But ICT should also be easy and accessible for the elderly. The intervention of Alexis Hostos, cyber security expert at Telefónica Tech and responsible for the presentation “Technological prevention of scams against the elderly”, discussed this topic.
He stated that the enemies are “more connected to each other, but also more uncertain than ever.”
For this reason this training is necessary, since a good part of the problem consists in ignorance. “We cannot join without an ax,” he said.
II Congress of personal autonomy
Other professionals with extensive knowledge of new technologies, accessibility, dependency or security attended the 2nd session of the Congress on the Right of Personal Autonomy, such as: Julian Prieto, Deputy Director General of Promotion and Authorizations of the Spanish Agency for Data Protection. AEPD) ; Ignacio Aizpún, General Director of ATAM; Julio Lorca, Director of Digital Health DKV Salud; Irene Cañizares and Vanessa Montoya, from Telefónica I+D; César Cuevas, PhD in Health Sciences at the Public University of Navarra and Professor of Philosophy of Law at the University of Valencia, Vicente Bellver, among others.
In this conference, topics such as security with new technology approaches, the importance of creating new technological developments that are friendly, simple, intuitive and available, so that no one is left behind or the use of technology is sent to leisure as a tool. better health
The inaugural act of the Congress was attended by Inmaculada Ruiz, president of the Democratic Union of Pensioners and Retirees of Spain (UDP) and vice-president of the Platform for the Elderly and Pensioners; Lázaro González, president of PMP; Carmen Morenés, Director General of Fundación Telefónica; and Juan José García, Director General of the Elderly Community of Madrid.
Immaculate Ruiz indicated that “the speed at which the changes have taken place” has meant that technology has not reached everyone in the same way” and that is why he asked “every part of society to accompany us and to take up our order and receive it in itself. We have our own approach to reality, needs and expectations”.
“All men have the right to enjoy life. No one,” he said, “should be left.”
The president of the PMP, Lázaro González agreed with Ruiz, who pointed out that digital should serve three purposes: to promote active aging, to facilitate lifelong learning and to guarantee personal autonomy. And, for this reason, these tools “must be user-friendly and accessible,” he added.
For that part, the general manager of Fundación Telefónica, Carmen Morenés, highlighted the need to create spaces where the elderly can age safely. “We have yet to build a world in which technology helps quality of life,” he said.
Finally, Juan José García highlighted the importance of ICTs to prevent and prevent social or health problems. “They recognized technology as a great opportunity for older people to stay at home.” That is why the society should not prepare for digitization, he warned.
The members of this session were Antoni Serratosa, vice-president of the Mayors of the UDP; Carlos Palacios, director of Social and Voluntary Action at Fundación Telefónica and José Aniorte, delegate of Family, Equality and Social Well-being of the Madrid City Council (@MADRID). The session was conducted by Ana Bedia, director of 65YMÁS.
Serratosa states that more “pedagogy” is needed so that all people learn to use ICT correctly and safely. “We are taking on the challenges of digitization as people get older,” he said.
For his part, Carlos Palacios stated that the question of digitization is not so much “connection”, which is more important in Spain, but “education”.
Finally, José Aniorte, delegate of the Madrid City Council for Family, Equality and Social Security, emphasized that “technology can be a great partner” so that the municipal administration can be closer and closer to those who need us.
