Understanding Older Adults' Attitudes and Adoption of Residential Technologies

Abstract

The main goal of this research was to understand older adults' attitudes and interests in residential technology products and services that have been adopted by them at a rate of less than 50%. This study explored the potential of these technology products and services to assist with aging in place. Early adopters of computer technologies are perceived as persons with early knowledge of newly introduced residential technologies. Moreover, considering older adults' preference for aging in place, assistance with technologies in residential settings would appear to have great potential. The results from this study have limitations in generalizing to all older adults, because a convenience sample was used. Although studies of early adopters may not provide information that can be generalized to the entire population, this study provides insight useful in understanding and estimating future trends for this population.