Assistive Technology and Emotions of Older People – Adopting a Positive and Integrated Design Approach

Abstract

With ageing, older people’s need for assistive technology is increasing. Older people’s emotional responses towards assistive technology is not fully understood. The present study is aiming to understand older Hong Kong people’s emotions elicited by using assistive technology. A qualitative research method was adopted in the current study. Face-to-face interviews and focused groups were conducted with 50 community-dwelling older adults in Elderly Services Centers in Hong Kong. Results indicate that the assistive technology experienced by older people include mobile phones, walking aids, hearing aids, emergency alarm services and computers. Older people have both positive and negative emotional responses in regards to assistive technology. Assistive technology has the potential to provide safety and secure and reduce risks for older people. However, it may also elicit negative emotions such as anxiety, frustrating, prejudice and discrimination. To increase an optimal user experience, we need to pay more attention to older users’ emotional and psychological needs besides usability, and to adopt a positive and integrated design approach during assistive technology development. Several design suggestions were provided based on the results.