With the uptake of information and communication technology (ICT) various assistive technologies (ATs) have been developed with the aim of facilitating the coping of older adults with their social and health conditions as well as of easing the burden of (informal) carers in providing assistance to care receivers. However, many of the ICT - based ATs, such as sensor - based smart home systems – which can provide real - time and continuous support and, therefore, allow older adults to live longer at home independently – were not massively adopted by end - users. On one hand, the scarce uptake stems from the material constraints related to technical requirements and financial investments needed for such ATs to be adopted by end - users. On the other hand, such solutions have been seldom recognized as user - friendly in the sense of being accessible and understandable for older adults as well as of being designed to fit well with their health and social care needs. Alternatively, scholars have recently suggested that smart phones could represent a potential vessel for a more wide - spread adoption of ATs. A smartphone has become a very common personal device also among older adults. It can be used not only as a communication device but can also be extended into an AT for health care and social support purposes by developing mobile applications (apps) which take advantage of integrated sensors (e.g., accelerometer, GPS, gyroscope). In fact, many smartphone apps with integrated ATs for older adults are already available on the market. Surprisingly, however, little is known about acceptance factors of ATs on smartphones. Prior research mostly focuses either on the acceptance of smartphones amongst older adults or investigates the adoption of stand - alone ATs. Hence, the aim of this study is threefold. First, drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) it shall provide a systematic overview of factors associated with the adoption of smartphones and ATs amongst older adults. Second, it will present an integrated theoretical model with a set of hypotheses related to acceptance factors of ATs on smartphones. Lastly, the study will empirically test the model for a nation - wide survey data sample of 1600 older adults aged 55 and above, collected in Slovenia in December 2015. In addition to the verification of the hypotheses, the results of the structural equation models will be used to discuss the limits and possible future research directions in the field.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 34104669Market adoption of ICT-based assistive technologies (ATs) is still very limited among older people. Alternatively, scholars have recently suggested that smartphones could represent a potential vessel for a more wide-spread adoption of ATs for health care and social support purposes. In fact, many smartphone apps with integrated ATs for older adults are already available on the market. Surprisingly, however, little research is published on acceptance factors of ATs on smartphones. While few previous studies mostly focused on the acceptance of smartphones amongst older adults or investigated the adoption of stand-alone ATs, our study combines a range of technological, individual, and societal factors of adoption of different types of ATs on smartphones. Our study, conducted in December 2015, draws on national representative large-scale sample of older adults aged 55+ in Slovenia (n=1581). Results show that: - Older adults express modest interest for different types of ATs on smart phones. - Care-oriented ATs are reported as more interesting for usage than health- and social- oriented ATs. - Technology-related dispositional traits are very important predictors for all kinds of ATs. - Socio-demographic and economic characteristics are not related in the same way with different ATs. - Chronic health conditions seem to play a significant role only in acceptance of health-related ATs. - Older adults living alone show negative attitude toward ATs; it seems that they perceive them as replacements and/or potential threats for in-person provision of care and health services.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 34302557In a study E-care – providing remote assistance, we conducted a mixed-methods intervention study. The first part of the study consisted of baseline and follow-up telephone survey based on a panel design. Both surveys were completed by 17 informal carers providing informal care to older adults (care receivers) who had e-care systems installed in their homes, and 11 older adults. Older adults were testing two fall detectors and two adapted smartphones. In the second part of the study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with seven informal carers, who gave consent to participate in the qualitative research phase earlier in the survey, and their care receivers. Results show that: - Potential e-care system's users have heterogeneous needs and expectations towards using e-care systems that can rapidly change. - Purchasing decision is a complex decision process, involving both, carer and care receiver. - Advantages of the e-care system should be presented as clearly as possible. - Care receivers need tailored deployment and support at the start of the e-care system use. - It is essential that devices and call centre operate flawlessly.
F.11 Development of a new service
COBISS.SI-ID: 34745693