Perceptions of and intention to use wearable and assistive devices among older adults

Abstract

<p>This study examined older adults’ perceptions of wearable and assistive devices and the influences of these perceptions on the intention to use (ITU) these devices. Fourteen perception variables related to device usage were assessed: perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitudes (ATT), ease of maintenance (EOM), weight (WEI), portability (POR), perceived comfort (PCOM), perceived convenience (PCON), appearance (APP), anxiety (ANX), image (IMA), perceived need (PN), perceived cost-effectiveness (PCE), and trust (TRU). Eighty-one older adults aged 65 years or older tried out any three of seven wearable and assistive devices and then responded to a questionnaire containing items pertaining to each variable. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the participants’ demographic characteristics and perception responses. Partial least-squares path modeling was used to examine the impacts of the variables on the participants’ ITU. We found that the participants generally had positive perceptions of wearable and assistive devices. Specifically, we found that PU, PEOU, ATT, APP, PN, IMA, and TRU positively influenced the participants’ ITU, whereas EOM negatively influenced their ITU. In summary, practitioners should understand the needs of older adults, reduce their investment in promoting EOM, optimize the appearance and usability of the devices, and provide opportunities to try out the devices, all of which should be useful in improving older adults’ perceptions of and ITU for wearable and assistive devices.​​​​​​</p>