Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Strategies Used by Older Adults to Live Well With Technology: Qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health

Background:

• Digitalization increasingly integrates technology into daily life, essential for societal participation.
• Technology offers opportunities for healthy aging, including digital health monitoring and social connectedness.
• Limited research exists on how older adults select and integrate technology into their lives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how older adults integrate technology into their lives using the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) model.
• To understand older adults' technology use and choices in relation to SOC processes.
• To examine older adults' perceptions of technology's role in living well.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive qualitative study utilizing purposive sampling of 20 older adults (55+ years) in Australia.
• Data collected through five in-person focus groups.
• Analysis employed hybrid inductive and deductive reflexive thematic analysis based on the SOC model.

Main Results:

• Older adults intentionally selected technology to enhance daily life aspects.
• Optimization involved self-monitoring, routine integration, digital literacy, and problem-solving.
• Compensation included selecting alternative technologies and seeking support.

Conclusions:

• Technology developers should collaborate with older adults to align designs with needs and preferences.
• Digital literacy alone is insufficient; empowering older adults requires facilitating intrinsic and extrinsic resources and skills.