Assistive technology for older adults

Bright, Aimee and Coventry, Lynne (2013) Assistive technology for older adults. In: 6th International Conference on Pervasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments, 28th - 31st May 2013, Rhodes, Greece.

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Abstract

The EU-funded multi-disciplinary DALi (Devices for Assisted Living) project aims to develop a semi-autonomous, intelligent mobility aid for older adults, which supports navigation in crowded and unstructured environments. We demonstrate the necessity to consider hitherto underexplored user-inclusive requirements which address psychological and socio-emotional needs of users. Using a qualitative methodology, including focus groups and interviews, our results showed that the design of the intelligent walker for older adults has to address issues of anticipated or experienced socio-emotional and psychological costs, including self-consciousness, pride, embarrassment, fear of being stigmatised and not wanting to admit a need. We suggest potential design strategies to increase emotional benefits and reduce psychological and emotional costs associated with use of assistive technology, thus facilitating product adoption.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	B900 Others in Subjects allied to Medicine C800 Psychology
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User:	Paul Burns
Date Deposited:	01 Dec 2014 12:54
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2019 17:26
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/18351

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