Attitude and perceptions of older and younger adults towards ambient technology for assisted living

M.A. Choukou, Y. Sakamoto, P. Irani

Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg (Manitoba), Canada. Amine.choukou@umanitoba.ca

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• Geriatrics

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare systems are challenged by the rapidly increasing number of older adults requiring services to maintain at-home independence. Technology, such as ambient sensing, has been identified as one potential solution to address these issues. This study’s aim is twofold: (1) to explore the general perception of older and younger adults about the transformative role technology can play in their health care as they age, and (2) the generation of health solutions in home care.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study explores data collected from an online survey involving 367 participants from North America and South Asia.
RESULTS: Our analyses yielded that the older adult participants had a generally positive attitude toward employing technologies and that younger adults were less concerned about the use of ambient sensing. Notably, however, they all reported relatively deep concerns about the potential use of homecare service technologies. Our results showed heterogeneity of technology literacy among older adults.
CONCLUSIONS: Both older and younger adults perceive ambient technology for assisted living as a promising solution to enable older adults’ at-home independence. Regardless of age, potential users of these technologies showed concerns with possible breaches of individual privacy, personal data, and personal health information.

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