Older adults’ technology use and its association with health and depressive symptoms: Findings from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study

•Older information and communication technology (ICT) users were actively using technology for various purposes than the limited technology users (i.e., IT, CT only users).•There was a positive association between ICT use and self-rated health status among older adults.•ICT use was associated with a decreased likelihood of experiencing major depression in older adults, but not with experiencing mild depression.•In accordance with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, nursing professional can play an important role in incorporating older adults’ diverse technology preferences in practice. Information and communication technology (ICT) provides older adults with access to information and resources that benefit their health. To explore ICT use among older adults and examine the influence of information technology (IT), communication technology (CT), or ICT use on older adults’ self-rated health status and depressive symptoms. A sample of community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older in the United States (N = 4,976) from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Older adults who embraced ICT and used this technology for a variety of purposes were more likely to report better health status, and were less likely to experience major depressive symptoms than nonusers. In accordance with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, nursing professional can play an important role by responding to older adults’ diverse technology preferences and effectively incorporating them into nursing practice.