Perceptions and Use of Gerotechnology: Implications for Aging in Place

Figures & data

TABLE 1 Frequency for Each Theme in Perception from the Pilot Study

Themes	Frequency
Safety and Independence	54
Social Interaction	25
Use of Technology	22
Support	15
Health	9
Finance	8
Privacy	3

FIGURE 1 Themes and relationships from pilot study. 1a: Using communication technological devices helps older adults to contact people in order to receive physical support. 1b: Receiving immediate physical support leads to safety. 2a: Social interactions in the residential community help older adults to have emotional support. 2b: Providing emotional support to each other in the community leads to a feeling of safety. 3: There could be a relationship between use of technology and social interaction because use of technology may leads to social interactions; an arrow draws from use of technology to social interactions. However, in this diagram, the arrow is illustrated by a hidden line because it seems that participants in the focus group discussion did not discuss the merits or demerits of communicating with people through technological devices.

FIGURE 2-1 The congruence model of person and environment interaction (adapted from Kahana, 1982).

FIGURE 2-2 The role of primary control in a Life Span Model of Successful Development (Schulz & Heckhausen, 1996, p. 710).

FIGURE 2-3 Conceptual model of use of gerotechnology integrating Life-span Theory of Control and Congruence Model of Person and Environment interaction.

Kahana , E. 1982 . “ A congruence model of person-environment interaction ” . In Aging and the environment: Theoretical approaches , Edited by: Lawton , M. P. , Windley , P. G. and Byerts , T. O. 97 – 121 . New York : Springer Publishing Company, Inc .

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Schulz , R. and Heckhausen , J. 1996 . A life span model of successful aging . American Psychologist , 51 ( 7 ) : 702 – 714 .

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