2010 November 1 | Tracy L. Mitzner¹, Julie B. Boron², Cara Bailey Fausset¹, Anne E. Adams¹, Neil Charness³, Sara J. Czaja⁴, Katinka Dijkstra⁵, Arthur D. Fisk¹, Wendy A. Rogers¹, and Joseph Sharit⁶
Older adults (n=113) participated in focus groups discussing their use of and attitudes about technology in the context of home, work, and healthcare. Participants reported using a wide variety of technology items, particularly in their homes. Positive attitudes (i.e., likes) outnumbered negative attitudes (i.e., dislikes), suggesting that older adults perceive the benefits of technology use to outweigh the costs. Positive attitudes were most frequently related to how the technology supported activities, enhanced convenience, and contained useful features. Negative attitudes were most frequently associated with technology creating inconveniences, unhelpful features, as well as security and reliability concerns. These results contradict stereotypes that older adults are afraid or unwilling to use technology. The findings highlight the importance of perceived benefits and ease of use for technology acceptance models. Emphasizing the benefits of technology in education and training programs may increase future technology adoption.
Older adults use technology in various domains, including home, work, and healthcare. They reported using a wide range of technologies, with more technologies used in the home compared to work and healthcare. Participants expressed more positive attitudes toward technology in all domains, with likes outnumbering dislikes. The top reasons for positive attitudes included support for activities, convenience, and features. Negative attitudes were often related to inconvenience, features, and security concerns. These findings suggest that older adults perceive the benefits of technology to outweigh the costs, and that technology can support independence in daily life. The study highlights the importance of understanding older adults' attitudes and preferences in designing technology that meets their needs. The results also suggest that education and training about the benefits of technology can increase its adoption among older adults.Older adults (n=113) participated in focus groups discussing their use of and attitudes about technology in the context of home, work, and healthcare. Participants reported using a wide variety of technology items, particularly in their homes. Positive attitudes (i.e., likes) outnumbered negative attitudes (i.e., dislikes), suggesting that older adults perceive the benefits of technology use to outweigh the costs. Positive attitudes were most frequently related to how the technology supported activities, enhanced convenience, and contained useful features. Negative attitudes were most frequently associated with technology creating inconveniences, unhelpful features, as well as security and reliability concerns. These results contradict stereotypes that older adults are afraid or unwilling to use technology. The findings highlight the importance of perceived benefits and ease of use for technology acceptance models. Emphasizing the benefits of technology in education and training programs may increase future technology adoption.
Older adults use technology in various domains, including home, work, and healthcare. They reported using a wide range of technologies, with more technologies used in the home compared to work and healthcare. Participants expressed more positive attitudes toward technology in all domains, with likes outnumbering dislikes. The top reasons for positive attitudes included support for activities, convenience, and features. Negative attitudes were often related to inconvenience, features, and security concerns. These findings suggest that older adults perceive the benefits of technology to outweigh the costs, and that technology can support independence in daily life. The study highlights the importance of understanding older adults' attitudes and preferences in designing technology that meets their needs. The results also suggest that education and training about the benefits of technology can increase its adoption among older adults.