Interplay of Perceptions of Aging, Care, and Technology Acceptance in Older Age

Abstract

Addressing demographic change, assistive technologies are developed to support people in need of care. So far, little is known about the impact of context-related individual perceptions on the adoption of such technologies. The present study investigates the extent of relationships between (a) aging-, care-, and health-related perceptions and (b) the perception and acceptance of using assistive technologies. In an online survey (N = 1123), the participants assessed individual perceptions of aging, care, health, perceived benefits, barriers, and acceptance of an assistive system. Using structural equation modeling the relationships between individual attitudes and acceptance were investigated. Results revealed that perceptions of care were related to acceptance, perceived barriers, and benefits. Positive perceptions of aging were related to perceived benefits and care. Moreover, perceived vitality correlated with perceptions of aging and perceived benefits. The study provided insights into individual perceptions of aging, care, and health as well as their relationships with assistive technology’s acceptance.