Participatory science communication may be an effective way to integrate all stakeholders in the process of knowledge generation, distribution and acceptance. As digitalisation progresses and information and services become increasingly, and in some cases exclusively, available online, there is a growing risk that older persons will be unable to keep pace, reject new technologies and feel excluded from society. Taking a participatory approach to identifying the technological needs and levels of technology acceptance of older citizens in a rural area of Bavaria, Germany, a questionnaire based on the technology acceptance model was created and administered with items related to access to devices, use of devices, barriers to using devices and preferred measures of support. It was found that older persons’ use of information and communication technologies (ICT) decreases with age and that the daily use of Internet and smartphones differs significantly between the age groups. An explorative factor analysis revealed three factors influence older persons’ technology acceptance and use: 1. perceived usefulness of ICT, 2. openness toward ICT, and 3. ICT anxiety. Although the age groups do not differ in their perceptions of the usefulness of ICT, their openness toward ICT decreases and ICT anxiety increases with age. The most frequently reported barriers to using ICT are concerns about Internet safety, uncertainty about how to use devices and no recognisable own benefit. Older citizens’ preferences in terms of support services provide clear indications for tailored measures.