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

Lina Lee and Mary Lou Maher
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Lina Lee: Department of Software and Information Systems, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
Mary Lou Maher: Department of Software and Information Systems, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-22

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.

Keywords: engagement; older adults; technology; empirical studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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