EXPERIENCES OF EXTRA CARE HOUSING RESIDENTS AGED FIFTY-FIVE AND OVER WITH HOME-BASED TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

Technological interventions could help older people live independently. In this study with 160 people aged 55 and over who were living in extra care housing in England we aimed to explore awareness of, access to, attitudes towards availability, and use of home-based technological (HBT) devices, and factors that influence the use of devices. A quantitatively designed and structured questionnaire was developed for this study. The majority of new HBT devices were not available in living units or schemes. Moreover, most basic appliances and emergency call systems were used in the living units. We found that in order to increase the use of technological devices among the elderly, their perceptions, capabilities, attitudes, and needs should be assessed in the designing, planning, and supplying process.