User Perceptions and Needs Analysis of a Virtual Coach for Active and Healthy Ageing—An International Qualitative Study

Johanna Möller, Roberta Bevilacqua (), Ryan Browne, Takamitsu Shinada, Sébastien Dacunha, Cecilia Palmier, Vera Stara, Elvira Maranesi, Arianna Margaritini, Eiko Takano, Izumi Kondo, Shuichiro Watanabe, Michael Ahmadi, Rainer Wieching and Toshimi Ogawa
Additional contact information
Johanna Möller: Diocesan Caritas Association for the Archdiocese of Cologne, 50668 Cologne, Germany
Roberta Bevilacqua: IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Ryan Browne: Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
Takamitsu Shinada: Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
Sébastien Dacunha: Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Maladie d’Alzheimer, 75015 Paris, France
Cecilia Palmier: Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris, Maladie d’Alzheimer, 75015 Paris, France
Vera Stara: IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Elvira Maranesi: IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Arianna Margaritini: IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Eiko Takano: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Aichi, Japan
Izumi Kondo: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Aichi, Japan
Shuichiro Watanabe: Institute of Gerontology, J. F. Oberlin University, 3758, Tokiwa-machi, Machida-shi 194-0294, Tokyo, Japan
Michael Ahmadi: Institute for New Media and Information Systems, University Siegen, Kohlbettstr. 15, 57072 Siegen, Germany
Rainer Wieching: Institute for New Media and Information Systems, University Siegen, Kohlbettstr. 15, 57072 Siegen, Germany
Toshimi Ogawa: Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-38

Abstract: Virtual coaching systems show great potential for meeting the challenges of demographic change. However, the proportion of older users in the field of digital technologies is far behind that of younger people. As part of the e-VITA project, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Japan, France, Italy and Germany with 58 people aged 65 and over, and the content was analyzed with the aim of obtaining information about how older adults organize their everyday lives, also with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, how they deal with their health, what role digital technologies play in the lives of the interviewees and why they oppose progressive digitization. Second, the survey asked why the older adults oppose a virtual coach, which is to be developed in the e-VITA project to support older adults in healthy and active aging, and what barriers they see in a possible implementation. It was found that older respondents lead active, varied lives and that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the increased use of digital solutions. In addition, respondents were consciously addressing their own health. With regard to a virtual coach, barriers were seen primarily in the area of data security and sharing. It can be concluded from this that heterogeneity among older user groups should be taken into account when developing virtual coaches. In addition, aspects of data security and data protection should be presented in a clearly understandable and transparent manner.

Keywords: active and healthy ageing; virtual coach; older adults; digitalization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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