Browsing by Author "Virmo, Niina"

This thesis analyzes interaction between different generations as digital media has become more common in everyday life. Because digital media is often less familiar for older people, this research focuses on the perspective of elderly people and how they feel about it. The study is part of the home economics research field and is based on project KUMOUS (1.2.2015-31.1.2018) launched by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health The project aims to identify the everyday needs of users of different age (young people, people of working age- and seniors), as well as to identify possible new services. Data collection took place in October-November 2015 in South Karelian social and health district (Eksote) area. The data was obtained by interviewing representatives of different generations in two different genus. One of the interviews was carried out by WhatsApp. This is an ethnographic case study, in which the material was approached using two separate cases. The data was collected through interviews in cooperation with the project, in the presence of Senior Research Fellow Mervi Hasu from the Institute of Occupational Health. It can be concluded that digital media did not perceived to be a relevant form of media between the family members. Communication between oldest and their offspring took place by phone or meeting with face to face. Family elders do not find personal computers and smart phones familiar and for example video calls or other applications were not seen as offering more value to the current communication. In this perspective the change of digitalization was not noticed. Interaction between the third generation and the central person was found to be much lower as it is between the second-generation members and the oldest person in family. Communication an interaction between the family members includes the importance of a well-being and healthcare, and relations were found important, although interaction would be less face to face and they might see only rarely.