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Perceptions, Preferences, and Acceptance of Information and Communication Technologies in Older-Adult Community Care Settings in Ireland: A Case-Study and Ranked-Care Program Analysis

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Abstract

As the Irish population ages, the potential role of information and communication technologies (ICT) to assist with community care has gained prominence, as it has in many Western nations. However, little is known about how the perceptions and preferences of older people (as current care users) and the general population (as prospective care users) are constructed for ICT within the context of existing community-care provision and orthodox person-led care programs. This paper aims to address this deficit for the Irish context and contribute to international knowledge on this topic. Data for the research comes from four case studies of community care sites, three focus-group discussions and 60 face-to-face exploratory survey interviews (based around stated-preference scenarios) with a general population sample. Care preferences were rooted in orthodox forms of person-led care provision. Perceptions of technology, experience/familiarity with technology, and difficulty conceptualizing technology and need for technology assistance, are interconnected in how they influence ICT preferences and acceptance. More dominant, however, were micro- and macro-contextual factors associated with community care, namely (1) the state of the older adult community care sector; (2) the desire for person-to-person contact; (3) the context of place.

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Notes

  1. Telehealth refers to the application of medical practice by telematic means.

  2. Telecare involves community social alarm services; sensory technology; home health monitoring and care provider and rehabilitation technology.

  3. Smart housing describes the electronic and computer controlled integration of many activities and devices within the home.

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Acknowledgements

This research was completed as part of a wider program of research within the TRIL Centre, (Technology Research for Independent Living). The TRIL Centre is a multi-disciplinary research center, bringing together researchers from UCD, TCD, NUIG & Intel, funded by Intel, IDA Ireland, and GE Healthcare. www.trilcentre.org.

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This research was approved by an ethics committee and was conducted in line with informed consent procedures.

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  1. Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, National University of Ireland Galway, Cairnes Building, Galway, Ireland

    Kieran Walsh & Aoife Callan

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  1. Kieran Walsh
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Correspondence to Kieran Walsh.

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Walsh, K., Callan, A. Perceptions, Preferences, and Acceptance of Information and Communication Technologies in Older-Adult Community Care Settings in Ireland: A Case-Study and Ranked-Care Program Analysis. Ageing Int 36, 102–122 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-010-9075-y

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