Pensioners are going on the offensive and are making clear demands against age discrimination on the table to politicians. Very specific proposals will be developed in the autumn that can be implemented by the next government. This roadmap was determined during a round table with numerous experts.
Concrete measures include requiring companies to support people who are not digital. “For example, banks should offer a hotline,” says Ingrid Korosec, president of the ÖVP Seniors Association, in an interview with “Krone”. First the fields are defined (official business, private companies, etc.) and then solutions are developed. The next government must carry out the legislative implementation.
Some services are now only available online
It should not be the case that the elderly are left behind, says Peter Kostelka, chairman of the Pensioners Association.“Currently, the repair bonus, the professional bonus or financing for heating replacement can only be applied for online. That is not possible.”
There are already attempts to help the elderly. But that is not enough. Together with the Association of Cities and Municipalities, a search is currently underway for so-called digital interpreters for every municipality throughout Austria. They must explain the digitization in an understandable way and be our contact person who also reports back where there are problems with the digitization.
State offers course
Thousands of digitization courses are also offered. The range of topics for these free courses ranges from internet security to digital official channels and artificial intelligence. Digitization State Secretary Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) recently took such a course.
“I think it is important that everyone in Austria knows digitalization well enough to cope with everyday life. Because it is important for our future that no one is left behind, young or old,” says Plakolm. “But I am also committed to ensuring that for elderly people who have difficulty with the digital process, we ensure that there is also an analogue process and that we explicitly provide good support.”
Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch of the Greens sees it the same way. “Digital technologies are part of the daily lives of all social groups. This of course also applies to the elderly, who represent one of the largest age groups. That is why it is necessary that older people can use digital media.”
Also make participation of the elderly possible
The goal of the Ministry of Social Affairs is to guarantee equal participation of older people in all areas of society. This includes analogue offers or supporting people to access digital offers. In order to enable people who do not or only rarely use the internet or digital technologies to participate, the Ministry of Social Affairs has been supporting a number of measures and initiatives for years, such as online courses.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
