The acceptability of assistive technology to older people

TLDR

Assistive technology, defined as any device or system that enables or eases tasks otherwise impossible, is increasingly recognized for supporting older adults' independence, yet research on large-scale installations remains scarce. This study investigates older adults' acceptability of assistive technology as part of a broader project assessing feasibility, costs, and outcomes of home installations. Sixty-seven participants aged 70 or older were interviewed in 2001 to explore their use and experiences with a wide range of assistive technologies. Results reveal a complex acceptability model where perceived need and product quality interact, highlighting tensions in delivering acceptable technology.

Abstract

Assistive technology (AT) is defined in this paper as ‘any device or system that allows an individual to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increases the ease and safety with which the task can be performed’ (Cowan and Turner-Smith 1999). Its importance in contributing to older people's independence and autonomy is increasingly recognised, but there has been little research into the viability of extensive installations of AT. This paper focuses on the acceptability of AT to older people, and reports one component of a multi-disciplinary research project that examined the feasibility, acceptability, costs and outcomes of introducing AT into their homes. Sixty-seven people aged 70 or more years were interviewed in-depth during 2001 to find out about their use and experience of a wide range of assistive technologies. The findings suggest a complex model of acceptability, in which a ‘felt need’ for assistance combines with ‘product quality’. The paper concludes by considering the tensions that may arise in the delivery of acceptable assistive technology.