High-Tech Amenities for the Elderly: The Technological Assistance Needs of Elderly Koreans Aging at Home

Abstract

This study builds on existing literature regarding residential technological systems and the elderly. This study investigates elderly Koreans' needs for technological systems in their residential environments and makes appropriate suggestions for creating high-tech amenities to support their aging at home. This study surveyed 60 elderly Koreans and presented them with 5 categories of 24 technological systems to evaluate. Results of this study show that participants were willing to adapt technological systems in their residential environment without any technophobia. In terms of their needs, the participants ranked the safety and security system category first, the indoor environment control system category second, and the health-related system category third. The results of this study suggest that residential environments, including individual housing and apartment properties, should incorporate technological systems to extend elderly residents' independent living at home.

A Critical Review of Smart Residential Environments for Older Adults With a Focus on Pleasurable Experience

“…However, their preferences as regards the control methods for technological systems showed limitations in their adaption to new detailed techniques. One of the desires older adults expressed concerning technological system control was an easy interface that resembles that of television and a remote control pad (Kim et al, 2009). This result showed that the design of technological smart systems for older adults should incorporate easy, user-friendly control without any complicated menus.…”

“…In particular, one of the needs of older adults is a service associated with emergencies and management of health in the smart home. Kim et al (2009) studied older adults who need technologies to assist their daily activities at home. The research included ranking of the categories covered by the technological advancements according to their value, and the older adult participants referred to security and safety as the top value.…”

Recruitment and Retention Challenges in a Technology-Based Study with Older Adults Discharged from a Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit

“…Technology that is easily accessible can support older adults in their homes and can allow older adults to maintain their independence by promoting physical mobility, perceived safety, and social support (Kang et al., ; Kim, Lee & Yim, ; Ludwig et al., ). Although there is some research demonstrating that older adults can have negative attitudes toward technology (Czaja & Sharit, ; Saunders, ), more recent studies support an increased awareness among older adults for the benefits of technology (Gonzalez′, Ramírez & Viadel, ; Mann & de Mello, ), including how technology can help maintain independence and help them remain in their homes for as long as possible (Ahn & Goss, ; Pain et al., ; Vuori & Holmlund‐Rytkönen, ).…”

Assessing the Need of Adaptive Changes for Emerging NORCs in Urban India

“…Recently, smart technologies have penetrated into the realm of elderly homes in most of the developed countries. Its gained benefit of safety-security, followed by the indoor environment control and health-related system, is favoured in Korea [39]. In Norway, three separate surveys conducted by Toril Laberg and her team [41] revealed the following advantages of smart home technologies:…”