Search results for ‘Author:"williams veronika"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 1 of 1
Older people’s perceptions of assistive technology – an exploratory pan-European study
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Veronika, MCCRINDLE Rachel, VICTOR Christina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 18(1), February 2010, pp.38-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper describes a survey undertaken to explore how assistive technology in the form of a wrist-worn device is perceived by older people. The survey was part of a larger study funded by EU Framework 6, ENABLE, which involved development of a wrist-worn assistive technology device capable of providing a variety of functions such as an alarm system, falls detection, navigation through GPS and an event reminder, thus enabling older people and their carers to live more independently and with reassurance. The purpose of the survey was to gain insights into the general issues that concern older people if they are required to wear and use assistive technology, and to identify more specifically the views of older people on the potential functionalities of the intended, future wrist-worn device. The questionnaire was sent out to participants in the UK, Czech Republic, Greece, and Belgium, and 158 completed questionnaires were returned. The results demonstrated a number of older people engaging with technology; a large number used a mobile phone, and almost half owned and used a computer and the internet. The device functions relating to emergency alarm systems and fall detections were rated as important. However, despite the potential benefits, it is clear from the results of the survey that privacy and confidentiality are significant concerns which can impede successful implementation.