JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Many older adults now use technologies such as wearable devices and telehealth services to support their health and wellbeing while living independently at home. However, older adults vary in how they use these technologies, and there is a lack of knowledge about the motivations that influence their acceptance and use of health-related technologies in home environments.

Objective:

This study aimed to understand what types of technologies older adults are using to support their health and what factors motivate older adults to use their chosen technologies to support their health. In addition, we aimed to understand what factors enable effective use of technologies for health self-management and to identify the barriers that can impact negatively on the adoption of technologies.

Methods:

22 older adults participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of using technologies for health self-management. Interview transcripts were analysed through an in-depth thematic analysis.

Results:

The interviews revealed that a range of technologies, such as videoconferencing software, fitness trackers, and other devices are being used by older adults to support their health. Interviews showed that participants were motivated to use technologies to monitor health issues, to stay active and connected, and to record and change their behaviour in the light of foreseen risks related to their future health status. Enablers that facilitated effective use of technologies include social and organisational influence, convenient access to healthcare and safety provided by the technology, and easy setup and low cost of the technology. Barriers include information overload and sense of futility about future health decline, telehealth cannot fully replace in-person consultations, concerns about trust related to privacy and accuracy, and healthcare technologies can be stigmatizing, uncomfortable to use, expensive and unfamiliar.

Conclusions:

This study suggested that older adults were using a variety of technologies to prevent or prepare for future health decline, evidencing a resilient attitude towards health and aging. In addition, older adults were willing to continue using the technology when there is a perceived need. The enabler mentioned by most participants was the social and organisational influence that included healthcare staff, family, friends, and organisations. This analysis provides a better understanding of how older adults use technologies to support their health and can guide the provision of appropriate health technologies for them.