Factors Affecting the Initial Engagement of Older Adults in the Use of Interactive Technology.

Lina Lee,Mary Lou Maher

doi:10.3390/ijerph18062847

Abstract

Smart environments and the use of interactive technology has the potential to improve the quality of life for the senior community as well as to support the connections among the senior community and the world outside their community. In addition to the increasing number of studies in the field of aging and technologies, research is needed to understand the practical issues of user focus, adoption, and engagement for older adults to accept interactive technologies in their lives. In this study, we use two commercial technological interventions (uDraw and GrandPad) to understand technology-related perceptions and behaviors of older adults. We present five case studies that emerge from empirical observations of initial engagement with technology through research methods such as focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, observations, and diary studies. The contributions of this study are identification of the key factors that influence the initial engagement with interactive technology for older adults.

Highlights

IntroductionWe show that the focus of research on the use of technology by older adults tends to be about the limitations of this population and the impact of the limitations on the design and usability of the technology
The goal of this study is to identify the key factors that influence the engagement of older adults in the adoption of interactive technology
Through a synthesis of past research, and a mixed method study with two technological interventions, this study provides a focus on understanding older adults’ initial engagement that can change older adults’ behavior toward technology from passive to active

Summary

Introduction

We show that the focus of research on the use of technology by older adults tends to be about the limitations of this population and the impact of the limitations on the design and usability of the technology. Our study has a focus on the attitudes, perceptions, and engagement of older adults with technology. Current Research Focus for Older Adults’ Use of Technology. Many studies have been conducted to understand the challenges and barriers that older adults face and the factors that affect their adapting to new technologies and their continued use. There is a relatively little research exploring older adults’ initial and long-term engagement with interactive technology. In order to design appropriate interactive technology for older adults, understanding aging limitations are important [18,19,20]. Service providers, researchers, designers, developers, and policymakers have long been working together to better understand how older adults can achieve optimal health and wellbeing with the benefit of technology [26]

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Discussion

Conclusion