Preferences and Concerns for Quality of Life Technology Among Older Adults and Persons With Disabilities: National Survey Results
By Matthews, Judith T.; Beach, Scott R.; Downs, Julie; Bruine de Bruin, Waendi; Mecca, Laurel P.; Schulz, Richard; Technology and Disability, Vol. 22, No. 1-2, pp. 5-15Publication Date: 2010
Study employed a national survey of older adults with and without disabilities to learn their views about quality of life technology. The web based survey was conducted with a non-probability sample of 1,610 adults, of whom 68 percent were female, 47 percent were aged 45 to 64 years, 47 percent were over 65 years old, and 43 percent reported having disabilities. During the survey, a series of brief narratives was presented, describing intelligent assistive technologies comprising 4 categories of engineered systems: (1) Safe Driving, using sensors that can detect how a car is being operated as well as conditions such as the outside weather; (2) Active Home, a system that gathers information via sensors to “learn” how and when people need help and to summon the appropriate assistance; (3) Virtual Coach, technologies that work with devices such as watches and cell phones capable of gathering information for memory enhancement and daily life management; and (4) Personal Mobility and Manipulation Appliance (PerMMA), a mobility device with “smart” wheels and mounted robot arms. Results revealed that the prospect of using intelligent assistive technologies to manage personal care, home management, and driving activities was generally well received, particularly among respondents whose current situations aligned with the scenarios presented. Resounding support was voiced for technologies that would enable individuals to continue to drive and to retain control over their living arrangements, the timing and performance of their daily activities, and their reliance on others. Respondents raised concerns about cost and, to a lesser extent, privacy and diminished human contact.
Published by: IOS Press (Website:http://www.iospress.nl)
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) (Web Site: http://www.aaate.net )
