Factors Associated with Wearable Device Usage Among Older Adults in Assisted Living

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Informatics
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Wearable devices offer potential benefits for monitoring health in older adults.
• Adoption rates of wearable technology vary significantly within this demographic.
• Understanding factors influencing usage is crucial for effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors associated with wearable device usage among older adults in assisted living.
• To apply the Andersen Health Behavior Model to identify predisposing, need, and enabling factors.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey of 102 residents aged 65+ in Kansas assisted living facilities.
• Face-to-face interviews conducted in 2024 using purposive sampling.
• Nested logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of wearable device usage.

Main Results:

• Positive associations found between wearable device usage and health literacy, telehealth knowledge, device knowledge, and perceived usefulness.
• Negative associations found with facilitating negative conditions, perceived discomfort, being female, and higher perceived health status.

Conclusions:

• Multifaceted interventions are needed to enhance wearable device adoption in older adults.
• Educational programs and user-friendly device design are recommended strategies.
• Addressing barriers like discomfort and negative conditions is essential.