Scenario-Based Analysis of Smart Product Acceptance for the Elderly in Home-Based Care

With the increasing aging population, home-based care has become a main nursing mode for the elderly. To better assist the elderly with daily activities, healthcare management and emotional support, smart technologies and products have been widely considered. However, the gap between the high requirements of smart products on users and the physical and cognitive degradation of the elderly has made it difficult for the elderly to accept new technologies. Therefore, this study aims to deeply investigate the smart product acceptance of the elderly in home-based care. For the purpose, a scenario-based analysis approach was adopted to investigate different living scenarios and analyze their smart product acceptance in different contexts. The combination of questionnaire survey and interview was employed, and 95 participants (age > 60) were involved. Statistical analysis and DEMATEL (Decision making trial and evaluation laboratory) were applied to reveal the structure and co-relations of the influencing factors. It shows that gender, age, health status, economic status, and technical proficiency have impacts on the smart product selection. Indicative and safe were identified with the most important influence on smart product acceptance in daily activities and healthcare scenarios. Trustful and efficient have moderate influence on entertainment and sports scenarios, and the influence of enjoyable and dependent factors is not that significant. Generally, this research can contribute to suggestions on the smart product design with full consideration of elderly’s physical and cognitive capacity. Moreover, it provides governments and the society with insights on the further reform of more practical elderly-care policies and social support strategies.