Gerontechnology Research Research Articles

Insights into Older Adults’ Technology Acceptance through Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT This study aims to provide a synthetic examination of the determinants of the behavioral intention (BI) of older adults to use technology and to investigate the moderating variables that contribute to heterogeneity in prior literature. This study is developed through meta-analysis involving 35 primary studies over 15 years. Results indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and social influence are substantially correlated with the BI of older adults to adopt technology. These determinants perform differently when regional disparity is considered, thereby suggesting a cross-cultural study in the future. Moreover, older adults’ willingness to use familiar technologies, such as smartphones, is strongest, whereas their acceptance of unfamiliar technologies, such as healthcare systems and devices, is likely affected by the three determinants. The synthesized results may benefit researchers in determining future research directions and decision makers in gerontechnology research and development and marketing.

158 Is it Just an Idea…Or More? Gerontechnology Research in Monash University Malaysia

Abstract Malaysia is set to become an ageing population by 2030, when older people aged 65 years and above will constitute over 7% of the total population. In a bid to prepare for rapid ageing, Monash University Malaysia took the lead to establish the Gerontechnology Laboratory in 2016, the first of its kind in Malaysia. The aims of the Gerontechnology Laboratory are to translate research into new products, change existing business models and services, and shape public policies to improve the health and wellbeing of older people and those who care for them. The Gerontechnology Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research platform that brings together students, researchers, business partners, universities, government and the broader community to lead on research and innovations for older people within the five domains of human activity: health and self-esteem, housing and daily living, mobility and transport, communication and governance, and work and leisure. The lab also serves as a centre for education and training, assessment and consultation concerning gerontechnology, home safety, and independent living environment. Examples of external engagement include Gerontechnology Symposium (2017, 2018), Monash-Petrosains Gerontechnology Challenge (2018) and Monash Gerontechnology Lab Volunteer Community (2017-present). At the international level, the Monash University Malaysia’s Gerontechnology Lab was recognised as one of 21 international AACSB Innovations that Inspire 2019. This seminar will share how Monash University Malaysia builds the gerontechnology hub and leads the research and development for the study of gerontechnology in Malaysia.

156 One Toy, Many Games: Whiztoys for Exercise Enablement and Cognitive Enhancement

Abstract Non-pharmacological intervention has been is an important approach for dementia care. Many studies showed that physical activity (PA) programs for older adults could integrate challenging cognitive activities (CA) to improve cognitive health. Combined PA + CA programs should be promoted as a modality for preventing as well as treating cognitive decline in older adults. “Serious games” use technology to combine multimedia, entertainment, and experience, to design “games that do not have entertainment, enjoyment, or fun as their primary purpose.” Recommendations for designing serious games for people with dementia include (1) Interventions should be supervised to support people with dementia to help them understand the instructions and the technology of the games; (2) Serious games should be well adapted to the target population and their individual impairments, capacities, and interests; (3) Interventions should be played in groups in order to guarantee enjoyment and commitment to the games and to foster social behavior and interaction. Under these principles, the Gerontechnology Research Center of Yuan Ze University has been developing a serious game platform “WhizToys”. WhizToys is in the form of puzzle floor mats, and can be freely assembled into different shapes. The older adults play games by stepping on the floor mats. Integrating with mobile phone Apps showing various games, such as matching game, chasing game, piano game etc., WhizToys combines physical exercise with cognitive training and multi-sensory stimulation. Standard tests such as “timed up and go (TUG)” are converted into games. The results of the games can be transmitted and recorded in the cloud for future reference. Caregivers can choose suitable games or adjust difficulty levels of the games from the App, according to the needs, experience and ability of the older adults. The user experience of WhizToys will also be shared in the presentation.

Building creative gerontechnology research funding to support international collaborations

Building creative gerontechnology research funding to support international collaborations

The future of Gerontechnology: Proposals from the new editor-in-chief

Background Gerontechnology, the official journal of the International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG), has been founded in 2001 as the first international scientific journal devoted to the domain of gerontechnology. As gerontechnology research is interdisciplinary in nature, Gerontechnology receives papers from diversified fields including health, housing, mobility, communication, leisure, and work by older adults. Professor emerita dr. Johanna E.M.H. (Annelies) van Bronswijk is the co-founder of Gerontechnology and has been serving as the editor-in-chief for 15 years. With the approval of ISG executive members and Gerontechnology editorial board members, Professor van Bronswijk nominated the first author, engineering professor and designer from Yuan Ze University, Taiwan, to succeed her as the editor-in-chief of Gerontechnology, starting January 2017. Strategies The main goal for the near future lays in the promotion of Gerontechnology as the leading journal for the gerontechnology domain through the following strategies: (i) reinforcing the efficiency of the reviewing and publishing process; (ii) enhancing the international visibility of the journal; (iii) increasing its academic prestige; and (iv) promoting gerontechnology research in different countries and cultures.

Gerontechnology: Push research and pull innovation for a sustainable humanity

The 10th World Conference of Gerontechnology (ISG2016), took place inNice, September 28-30, 2016. It attracted 350+ participants who enjoyed 250 presentations from researchers, designers and engineers of 30+ different nationalities. The resulting1-page papers of 2/3 of the contributions not only show the state-of-the-art, but also supply glimpses into a future in which gerontechnology research push has changed in aninnovation pull and a new functional economy has arisen.

A Chinese response to the aging society

Mainland China has the world’s largest aging population. On the other hand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Singapore are hit simultaneously by rapid population aging and extremely low birth rate. Gerontechnology has started to receive a lot of attention in the Sinophone world as a positive solution in maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of manpower and resource in elderly care. This special issue on Chinese response to the aging society is organized by the Sinophone Chapter of International Society for Gerontechnology. All six invited papers emphasize understanding of older adults in different parts of the Sinophone world, and from different perspectives. Filial piety (Xiao) is one of the cornerstones of gerontechnology in the Sinophone world. The Sinophone Chapter has been dedicated to promoting gerontechnology research, cross-strait collaboration (between Taiwan and Mainland China), education, and industrial collaboration. Moving forward, promoting industrial-academic collaboration, turning gerontechnology research into real products or services, will be the ‘last mile’.

Partnering for gerontechnology research and development: Risks and rewards

Partnering for gerontechnology research and development: Risks and rewards

Frailty and gerontechnology research

Frailty and gerontechnology research

The role of technology for healthy aging among Korean and Hispanic women in the United States: A pilot study

As a result of increasing life expectancies, declining birth rates, and an increasing number of ethnic minorities among the general USA population, a growing number of minority older adults will potentially need assistance as they age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interests and concerns of USA Korean and Hispanic minority older women regarding the application of communication and monitoring technology to support aging in place to gain insight into some of the unique issues of these populations. This study was guided by a conceptual model of the use of gerontechnology that integrates the Life-span Theory of Control and a congruence model of person and environment interaction. Focus groups in the participants’ native language were used to explore attitudes and values of immigrant Korean (n=19) and Hispanic (n=13) older women. Focus group discussions were stimulated by four videotaped vignettes showing different assistive technolog ies being used by an older adult in her home. Content analysis of qualitative data revealed emergent positive themes, which included the participants’ willingness to try gerontechnologies, an appreciation of the potential for improving connections to family members still in the home country, and recognition of the improved safety and independence that technologies may provide. Negative themes included financial concerns, language barriers for usability, and concerns about possible physical effects of electronics. The perceptions of gerontechnologies among the minority women in this study reflected Korean and Hispanic cultural experiences and values. As gerontechnology research moves forward, it will be important to consider cultural dynamics of minority groups in the design, selection, and use of any new tool.

Potential of SenTra for gerontechnology research and intervention

Potential of SenTra for gerontechnology research and intervention

Stimulating Gerontechnology research in the UK

The last ten years have seen significant changes in national policies for research in the United Kingdom. Although relatively recent, the EQUAL Initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is providing an important and influential platform for university-based non-medical gerontechnology research.

Older adults, computers, and the internet: Future directions

This article reviews existing literature on older adults’ interactions with computers and the Internet, and proposes questions and directions for future gerontechnology research. The first section of this paper briefly reviews existing human factors research on older adults’ interactions with computers and the Internet. The next two sections review research on barriers to and aids of older adults’ learning and use of computers and the Internet, and older adults’ attitudes toward, perceptions, and general usage of computers and the Internet, respectively. The fourth section summarizes available research on older adults’ interactions in computerized community networks. Finally, based on existing literature on this topic and informed by general theories of the interdisciplinary field of science and technology studies (STS), the fifth section proposes new questions and directions for future gerontechnology research.