the elderly

新北市平溪區被稱為全台灣最老的社區，本研究透過參與式觀察及深入訪談，欲瞭解該地方銀髮族生活情況、資訊需求、和資訊行為特性，期望藉以強化社區銀髮族資訊獲取的機會。研究分析後發現：長者的生活和資訊需求高度簡化，且醫療保健資訊的取得最需改善。他們除了關心個人的需求外，也關心社區內公共議題。資訊傳遞的管道則是以口語傳播最為盛行，也最重要。長者的資訊行為中，生理功能的退化和環境限制是最主要的障礙。

Pinxi District, New Taipei City, is called “the most elderly community in Taiwan”. This research investigates the life style, information needs, and information seeking behaviors of the elderly in Pinxi District by using participant observation and in-depth interview as research methods, in hopes of invastigating how to strengthen the capability of the elderly dwellers in Pinxi District in acquiring information. The result shows that: the lifestyle of the elderly simplifies their information needs, and the ways of their acquisition of health information needs to be improved urgently. In addition to personal information needs, they also have needs to access public issues in their community. Oral communication is the most important channel to transfer information. Physiological degeneration and environment limitation are the main barriers for the elderly to acquire information.