Presentation
Aging in a Smart Home? The Oldest Olds’ Attitudes Toward Technology for Aging-in-Place
SessionA2: Conscious Aging in Place
DescriptionRecent studies have explored the complexity of technology adoption among older adults, particularly for aging in place with smart home technologies. However, less is known about those aged 85 and older, a rapidly growing demographic in the U.S. This study investigates smart home technology adoption and attitudes within this group, focusing on the perceived benefits and drawbacks of specific devices. A survey of participants aged 85 and older revealed that the primary advantages include enhanced safety, personal curiosity satisfaction, and eco-friendliness. Conversely, the main disadvantages are maintenance costs, initial purchase expenses, and the learning curve associated with new systems. A series of focus groups with a subset of survey participants uncovered that the oldest old are highly interested in technologies that help maintain their sense of control and autonomy over their environment, and expressed concerns about potential overreliance on smart home solutions.
Contributors
Event Type
Industry/Practitioner Case Study
Lecture
TimeThursday, September 12th9:45am - 10:05am MST
LocationFLW Salon B
Aging
DEI