Abstract
BackgroundOlder adults want to preserve their health and autonomy and stay in their own home environment for as long as possible. This is also of interest to policy makers who try to cope with growing staff shortages and increasing health care expenses. Ambient assisted living (AAL) technologies can support the desire for independence and aging in place. However, the implementation of these technologies is much slower than expected. This has been attributed to the lack of focus on user acceptance and user needs.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to develop a theoretically grounded understanding of the acceptance of AAL technologies among older adults and to compare the relative importance of different acceptance factors.MethodsA conceptual model of AAL acceptance was developed using the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical starting point. A web-based survey of 1296 older adults was conducted in the Netherlands to validate the theoretical model. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the hypothesized relationships.ResultsOur conceptual model showed a good fit with the observed data (root mean square error of approximation 0.04; standardized root mean square residual 0.06; comparative fit index 0.93; Tucker-Lewis index 0.92) and explained 69% of the variance in intention to use. All but 2 of the hypothesized paths were significant at the P<.001 level. Overall, older adults were relatively open to the idea of using AAL technologies in the future (mean 3.34, SD 0.73).ConclusionsThis study contributes to a more user-centered and theoretically grounded discourse in AAL research. Understanding the underlying behavioral, normative, and control beliefs that contribute to the decision to use or reject AAL technologies helps developers to make informed design decisions based on users’ needs and concerns. These insights on acceptance factors can be valuable for the broader field of eHealth development and implementation.
Highlights
BackgroundDemographic predictions show a growing number of people at risk for age-related chronic diseases and with a potential need for long-term care
This study aimed to compare the relative importance of different acceptance factors, their underlying relationships, and their explanatory power for the intention to use Ambient assisted living (AAL) technologies in the future
We found empirical evidence that promises of safety and autonomy are a valid trade-off for concerns about personal interaction and privacy, as suggested by earlier research [58,102]
Summary
BackgroundDemographic predictions show a growing number of people at risk for age-related chronic diseases and with a potential need for long-term care. Older adults want to preserve their health and autonomy and stay in their own home environment for as long as possible This is of interest to policy makers who try to cope with growing staff shortages and increasing health care expenses. Understanding the underlying behavioral, normative, and control beliefs that contribute to the decision to use or reject AAL technologies helps developers to make informed design decisions based on users’ needs and concerns. These insights on acceptance factors can be valuable for the broader field of eHealth development and implementation
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