Insights on the Acceptability of Assistive Technologies for Ageing in Place: Towards the Development of Design Criteria

This research develops an understanding into how older adults, adults with disabilities, and health and care professionals use, understand, consider, implement, and accept in-home monitoring and assistive technologies as part of their ageing in place strategies. Alongside a literature review of 25 recent publications, 33 semi-structured interviews were performed with 17 older adults, 5 adults with disabilities, and 11 medical professionals or care providers to identify key themes around technology acceptability, factors of ageing in place, and the support required as people’s capacities deteriorate over time. The results provide a series of overlapping themes that are analysed to and highlight the nuanced relationship between ageing and autonomy, the barriers associated with administrative responsibilities, and the meta-analysis health and care professionals develop through their personal relationships with beneficiaries. The analysis is then distilled into nine criteria for technology acceptability—framed within the context of this research. The proposed solution should be understandable, futureproof, easy to integrate, useful, customisable, desirable, manageable, reassuring, and financially conscious. Findings shed light on how technology can support healthier and more secure ageing in place strategies. The research provides an up-to-date understanding of the relationship between older adults and in-home monitoring technology, going beyond current concerns and transforming them into criteria with practical value for their design or implementation.