Understanding Older Adults' Attitudes and Adoption of Residential Technologies

Abstract

The main goal of this research was to understand older adults' attitudes and interests in residential technology products and services that have been adopted by them at a rate of less than 50%. This study explored the potential of these technology products and services to assist with aging in place. Early adopters of computer technologies are perceived as persons with early knowledge of newly introduced residential technologies. Moreover, considering older adults' preference for aging in place, assistance with technologies in residential settings would appear to have great potential. The results from this study have limitations in generalizing to all older adults, because a convenience sample was used. Although studies of early adopters may not provide information that can be generalized to the entire population, this study provides insight useful in understanding and estimating future trends for this population.

Older Adults' Reasons for Using Technology while Aging in Place

“…This is in line with the existing body of research on technology acceptance by community-dwelling older adults [8,12,16,32,33,34]. Recently, qualitative studies were performed in Hong Kong [33] and in England [34].…”

“…The social network of participants influenced the participants' use of technology as well as their technology-related attitudes and beliefs, by offering advice, by providing support, and by acting as a co-user. Support and proper coaching may be essential to the adoption of technology by older adults [16,37], however, participants and members of their social network did not always agree on the need for technology. Additionally, participants were hesitant to put a burden on others by using technology.…”

ICT and Older People: Beyond Usability

“…This is because ICT allows them to stay connected to what is happening around them and to interact with others (White & Weatherall, 2000;Magnusson et al, 2002;Russell, Campbell, & Hughes, 2008). ICT is also important to the elderly because it can provide, as assistive technology (Ahn, Beamish, & Carucci, 2008), a source of support during a time in their lives when the physical and cognitive changes are significant and during which many are beginning to express certain degrees of dependency (Fozard, 2001;Fozard, Rietsema, Bouma, & Graafmans, 2000;Phang et al, 2006;Czaja et al, 2006;Caprani, Greaney, & Porter, 2006). Indeed, the reality of an aging society (i.e., in the coming decades, the growth of the older population in relation to other age groups will be substantially higher) brings into focus the types of support and care that will be required to attend to their needs.…”

Instructional Styles, Attitudes and Experiences of Seniors in Computer Workshops

“…In addition, access to software and the Internet presents an opportunity for maintaining autonomy through the use of online services (e.g., banking and shopping), as well as providing an avenue for continuing education, gaining information (e.g., health and news), entertainment, and encouraging mental stimulation that can support cognitive health (Ahn, Beamish, & Goss, 2008;Brink, 1997;Chaffin & Harlow, 2005;Kelly, 1997;Opalanski, 2001;Stoltz-Loike, Morrell, & Loike, 2005;Sweeney & Chiriboga, 2003;Voelker, 2005). The challenges start with issues related to access, and where access is possible, there is concern that computers may pose unnecessary physical and cognitive demands depending on the hardware or software that is selected (e.g., Charness & Holley, 2004;Laux, 2001;Smith, Sharit, & Czaja, 1999).…”