Attitudes Toward Technology and Use of Fall Alert Wearables in Caregiving: Survey Study

• DOI: 10.2196/23381
• Publication Date: 2021-01-27T14:01:24Z
• Authors: Deborah Vollmer D...; Shinduk Lee; Matthew Lee Smith; Tiffany Shubert; Stephen Popovich; Marcia G Ory
• Keywords: Wearable Technology

Background Wearable technology for fall alerts among older adult care recipients is one of the more frequently studied areas technology, given concerning consequences falls this population. Falls are quite prevalent in later life. While there a growing amount literature on adults’ acceptance less known about how caregivers’ attitudes toward can impact recipients’ use such technology. Objective The objective our study was to examine associations between caregiving and alert wearables. Methods This examined data collected with an online survey from 626 caregivers adults 50 years older. Adapted model, structural equation model tested following prespecified hypotheses: (1) higher perceived usefulness technologies would predict value greater interest caregiving; (2) (3) wearables recipients. Additionally, we included demographic factors (eg, ages) context caregiver type situation) as important predictors Results Of total respondents, 548 (87.5%) all valid responses were study. Among recipients, 28% used final had good fair fit: confirmatory factor index 0.93, standardized root mean square residual 0.049, error approximation 0.066. Caregivers’ positively associated their using (b=.70, P<.001) (b=.22, P=.003). Greater predicted (b=.65, P<.001). likelihood (b=.27, strongest inverse relationship (unpaid vs paid caregiver) (b=–.33, Conclusions underscores importance management. Raising awareness improving perception may help adopt better utilize that promote independence enhance safety.