29 November 2024

To categorise every person over 60 as someone who neither wants nor can understand new digital technology is discriminatory. This was one of the topics discussed at a doctoral course in Norrköping.

Students at workshop.
During the workshop everyone’s opinions become important. Photographer: Karin Midner

“Ageing and Social Change” is a doctoral course organised by Linköping University. Most of the course is conducted digitally, but on the 28th and 29th of October, all participants met for workshops and lectures in Norrköping.

One of the subjects addressed was age discrimination, particularly issues related to the digitalised society and what it can mean for older people.

On the second day, Ittay Mannheim, researcher in aging and technology, led a workshop and efore the coffee break, he asked the participants to share their thoughts:

“It is great to meet on the course, we come from different parts of the country, which gives a broad perspective, new angles, and fosters innovative thinking. Discussing together helps us find new ways to think about time and resource constraints. We become aware of the challenges other participants face in the field and discuss solutions…” 

Everyone’s opinions is important at the workshop

“We have discussed digitalisation, various stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination towards the older population, known as ageism. We have also talked how these stereotypes can influence design and policy in new technology and digitalisation. I hope that my knowledge can inspire the participants to find new ideas in their research because we need to find ways to implement technology in society that meets the needs and goals of older persons”, says Ittay Mannheim.

Ittay Mannheim.
Ittay Mannheim.Photographer: Karin Midner

He likes workshops as a method in teaching because everyone’s opinions become important, and gets a roll in the discussion, not just the lecturers. He mostly works in Europe and Israel, and his perception is that the issues in aging research have many similarities regardless of where you are.

He expresses that it is about understanding a person, regardless of age and background, and that older people should be seen as individuals; they cannot be grouped together as a homogeneous group. In fact, that they are the most heterogeneous group you can imagine in society. They have different life experiences and therefore age in different ways. Grouping everyone over 60 together can lead to discriminatory behaviour, but this form of discrimination isn’t as well-known as discrimination based on religion, race, gender, or sexuality. Age discrimination is an issue that needs more attention in society and legislation. 

An example of ageism

How shall we meet the stubborn older people that refuse to follow the digital development and accept that we live in a digital world?

“I want to rephrase that question: “What do you do with a stubborn person...” I guess you also have friends around 30 or 40 that are hesitating or refuse to pay with credit cards or use the digital id?  There are people with those thoughts in every age, and maybe we just have to accept that? A solution can be to try to understand what this person needs and wants in their life, and what is the way to get there? The first step shall always be to understand what the person needs and wants. Try to use their motivation instead of focusing on the problem.”

 

Three Phd students abut the course “Ageing and Social Change”

During these two days in Norrköping, 18 PhD students from various parts of Sweden, as well as Denmark, participated. The teachers came from the Netherlands and Austria. The course was organised by Linköping University’s Division of Ageing and Social Change (ASC) at the Department of Culture and Society (IKOS). The course is organised within the context of the Swedish National Graduate School on Ageing and Health (SWEAH).

“I am an occupational therapist and research older adults’ social health. This course appealed to me because it relates to my research project, which aims to develop a new intervention supporting older adults’ social participation. I have been very inspired and have learned a lot of new things that I can use to put my research into a broader context. I have gained a deeper understanding of the subject,” says Linnea Körlof, PhD in occupational therapy at Luleå University of Technology, licensed occupational therapist.

The fact that the course was held in English was not a problem for her, rather an advantage, as it also allows for the inclusion of international doctoral students and access to research from other countries.

“It is very beneficial to attend such an interdisciplinary course; it provides breadth and contributes to one’s own development and thinking in the subject. The workshops have been rewarding, and even during coffee breaks, we have had interesting conversations about the research. Additionally, you have a very nice environment here at Campus Norrköping, which has inspired me,” says Linnea Körlof.

Thre phd students in a workshop.
Ittay Mannheim support Linnea Körlof and Sandra Lukic in their studies.Photographer: Karin Midner

 


“I saw this course at SWEAH website, and thought it would suite my dissertation work, which deals with care staff and leaders working in special housing. I want to gain new perspectives on ageing and various social factors. There has been a lot of new information, with several good insights at the macro, meso, and micro levels. I have gained an overarching view of ageing that I can connect to my research,” says Anna-Carin Karlsson.

“The course raised questions about the future of the care and welfare system and how it can meet the needs of a heterogeneous, ageing population. It was well-structured and engaging with interesting lecturers,” says Rosalind Pfaff.

Her research is about care transitions and readmissions after discharge from geriatric inpatient care, in the Stockholm Region. She participated in the course to broaden her perspectives on ageing policy at a Swedish and European level and what it can mean for an ageing individual now and in the future. She appreciated the course’s workshops.

“They were a good opportunity to delve into discussions about the course content in relation to one’s own projects, and it was enjoyable to get to know PhD students with different disciplinary backgrounds and perspectives from across the country. I have delved into themes such as ageism in technology and age integration and thought more about the balance between formal and informal care in society. I have learned new things that will help me contextualise my research topic going forward.”

Rosalind Pfaff.
Rosalind Pfaff is explaining what her group has talked about.Photographer: Karin Midner

 


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