Previous studies on older adults' intention to adopt medical apps during irregular circumstances like the COVID-19 outbreak are still in its infancy. In order to fill this knowledge gap, we developed a theoretical framework based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model and the Technology of Acceptance Model (TAM) to explain Chinese older people's willingness to use medical apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected 1,318 online questionnaires during the first wave of the pandemic in China in early 2020. We employed structural equation modelling to analyse the data, and the results show that (a) attitudes towards using apps influence older people's intention to use apps significantly; (b) only two factors, perceived usefulness and facilitating conditions, which were proposed in the UTAUT model, significantly predicted the older adults' intention to use apps, but not others; and (c) perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm and facilitating conditions all significantly impact attitudes towards using apps. Further mediation analysis found that attitudes towards using apps significantly mediated the paths suggested in the original UTAUT model. Due to the online survey method we used, older people who do not use the internet were excluded from our sampling process. However, our timely research contributes to the existing literature by showcasing older people's usage of eHealth technology in public health emergencies. It also builds on the broader discussions on technology use by combining the TAM and the UTAUT model, highlighting the vital role of people's attitude towards using technology in shaping their intention to use it.

The aim is to analyse political participation among senior citizens in the West-Finnish region Österbotten/Pohjanmaa by using data from the 2005 GERDA (gerontological regional database) survey. The first research question related to patterns of political participation and the extent to which older people in this region engage in voting and non-institutionalised forms of participation. Secondly, the driving forces behind different dimensions of participation were assessed on an individual level by using a modified variant of the civic voluntarism model as suggested by Verba and colleagues. The results show a high propensity to vote among elders in this region, but they also suggest that so-called non-institutionalised participation is likely to become more common in the future. Moreover, even though the results support the so-called resource theory of political participation, the fit of the multivariate models were modest, which necessitates further research in order to understand fully the driving forces behind political participation of older people in this specific region.

Background: Older prisoners are a minority within the prison population but their numbers are increasing at a greater rate than any other age group. The mental health of younger prisoners has been well researched but this is not the case for older inmates. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the existing literature on the mental health of older prisoners.

Methods: Relevant papers were identified through database searches and an examination of cited references in the selected papers. The literature was divided into different sections in order to examine the contributing factors and rates of mental illness in older prisoners.

Results: The first section looks at demographic factors relevant to older prisoners. Subsequent sections examine psychosocial factors, environmental factors and physical health factors that may have a detrimental effect on mental health. The final sections look at the prevalence of mental illness in older offenders before and after sentencing.

Conclusions: Mental illness in older prisoners is a result of complex interactions between numerous individual and environmental factors. It currently remains poorly researched and service provision for older prisoners with mental illness is poorly developed. Further research is needed, with a particular focus on the different groups of older prisoners and the most beneficial service models, because the number of older prisoners, including those with mental illness, is likely to increase in the future.