Engaging technology-resistant elderly people: Empirical evidence from an ICT-enabled social environment

Abstract

This paper presents a qualitative investigation on user reactions, opinions, and sentiments about a TV-based technological solution developed within the EasyReach Project of the EU Ambient Assisted Living Joint Program to promote social interaction of less educated elderly people, that is, those individuals who, because of poor scholarization, low income, and, possibly, linguistic barriers, still find it difficult to use computers in order to improve their socialization. Experimental data were collected by extensive trials involving 40 real-end users. A methodology called "scenario engagement" was applied to get participants engaged in a live demonstration with the mediation of a facilitator who assisted elderly people to interact with the system. Results point out that the system can be effectively employed to foster social interaction, particularly when it is introduced in a collective use environment (e.g., Senior Center). Although the focus of the investigation was on information and communication technology-enabled social environments, the end users themselves strongly suggested to include in future system releases extra functions considered as essential opportunities for their potential digital lives: that is, medical or health services and bridges toward public administration.

<p>Factors Affecting the Acceptability of Technology in Health Care Among Older Korean Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study Adopting the Senior Technology Acceptance Model</p>

“…In fact, older adults have a positive attitude towards using technology in their daily life and health care, despite some barriers and challenges. 13 , 14 Gerontechnology is a new field that has emerged in response to the need to assist older adults who are willing to employ technology in their daily lives and health care. Technology has great potential to effectively address the limitations that older adults experience as a consequence of aging.…”

Acceptance of Information and Communication Technologies for Healthy and Active Aging: Results from Three Field Studies

“…The results were consolidated in group discussions involving all members of the research team. More details about data analysis procedures can be found in [15].…”

“…In this work the research team analyzed different possible alternatives, especially in view of the direct involvement of users in field trials and their reactions toward the proposed technical solution. Two senior centers in Rome were selected [15]. Preliminary sessions to better understand end users' reactions and behaviors were purposely organized.…”

“…The user-centered design approach [14] was adopted to directly involve less educated older adults (unskilled in ICT use, low education, and low income) in the early stages of the development process. A pilot investigation was carried out in Rome, Italy, involving real users [15].…”

“…The improvement of health services and care activities is perceived very important by older adults. Medical or health related services have high recurrence among elderly needs and requirements to increase their quality of life [15]. To satisfy the needs of older adults the EHR could provide potential benefits [23].…”