Abstract
Bridging the digital divide experienced by older adults may help improve older adults’ well-being to successfully age in place. This chapter provides an overview of the literature related to older adults’ use, access, barriers, and understanding of assistive smart technologies, emphasizing current gaps and future directions for gerontechnology. We examine (a) social components of gerontechnology for aging in place; (b) technological literacy and telehealth; (c) user interface design and usability; (d) technology acceptance, use, and privacy; and (e) future directions in the field of gerontechnology. By focusing on the gaps, barriers, and implications for research and professional practice, we review and discuss technological strategies and tools for older adults who decide to age in place, with a focus on remaining socially connected and engaged. As humans continue to live longer and desire to remain in their homes, researchers, designers, engineers, and practitioners must collaborate toward improving design and accessibility for later-life technology users. Incorporating state-of-the-art interface design components which focus on user-friendly technology applications and increasing technological literacy among older adults will lead to the future of improved technology usability that will enable successful aging in place.
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Arieli, R., Faulhaber, M.E., Bishop, A.J. (2023). Bridging the Digital Divide: Smart Aging in Place and the Future of Gerontechnology. In: Ferdous, F., Roberts, E. (eds) (Re)designing the Continuum of Care for Older Adults. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20970-3_1
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