Factors for adoption of gerontechnology by community-dwelling elderly in the Western Cape

Abstract

Acquiring quality healthcare in South Africa is expensive, even for the working class. Maintaining long-term care for the aged is no exception. Many elderly people cannot afford to maintain decent health. The elderly need to maintain focus on health to be self-reliant. Older adults must continue to partake in social activities and continue to be independent. This research problem is significant as it addresses a pressing issue in South Africa, where the elderly population is growing and the cost of healthcare is a major concern. The purpose of this study is to understand the factors that impact the acceptance and adoption of technology by community-dwelling elderly people, as technology can assist individuals through ageing. The data collected from this study will be categorised into themes to understand why older people over the age of 60 use technology in their daily lives and the factors that affect their acceptance and adoption of modern technological interventions. The findings of this study, which may align with those of similar global qualitative studies in terms of factors such as social influence, expected benefits, and technology concerns, also offer unique insights. South Africa, as a developing nation with a past apartheid background, presents a unique context that can provide new and intriguing insights into behavioural intentions and technology adoption among the elderly. Society will benefit from reviewing this research study. Firstly, the elderly, who are maintaining a valuable quality of life whilst ageing, to maintain their independence are primary benefits. Secondly, the typical adult informal caregiver who provides care to their aged parents can have peace of mind that technology can be used to monitor the health of their parents and trust that privacy is supported. The expected benefits of technology adoption include improved health monitoring, enhanced independence, and increased peace of mind for caregivers. Finally, government ministries are to be made aware that the burden can be shared and supported and that such technologies must be factored into urban and rural planning.