Effects of Extended Use of an Age-friendly Computer System on Assessments of Computer Proficiency, Attitudes, and Usability by Older Non--Computer Users

This study examined the impact of use of a computer software application designed specifically for older people known as PRISM—a Personal Reminder Information and Social Management system—which was installed on a computer that was placed in the homes of adults aged 65 to 98 years, who were at risk for social isolation and had minimal or no computer skills and no computers in their homes. Participants received face-to-face training on the system in their homes over several days and a variety of measures were collected at baseline and at 12 months. A growth mixture model applied to participants’ usage of the system over the course of 12 months revealed two distinct subpopulations of users—less-frequent users and more-frequent users—who after one year of exposure to the system differed in computer proficiency, attitudes toward computers, and ratings of system usability. These two groups did not differ on computer proficiency and computer attitude measures at baseline. The more-frequent user group, however, had significantly higher fluid cognitive abilities. Additional analytical models were used to further examine the relationships among the study measures. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of the importance of usability for promoting initial engagement with a system and that increased engagement with the system can instill beliefs in these older adults that they can successfully transition to other computer-based technologies and applications. The results also underscore the importance of the user-centered design approach and designing highly usable systems for older adults with low technology proficiency.

[1]  Jacqueline K. Eastman,et al.  The elderly's internet usage: an updated look , 2007 .

[2]  Joseph Sharit,et al.  Online Information Search Performance and Search Strategies in a Health Problem-Solving Scenario , 2015, Journal of cognitive engineering and decision making.

[3]  J. Nylander,et al.  Model Selection and Model Averaging in Phylogenetics , 2022 .

[4]  Lucy R. Betts,et al.  Older adults' experiences and perceptions of digital technology: (Dis)empowerment, wellbeing, and inclusion , 2015, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[5]  Alexander Johannes Aloysius Maria van Deursen,et al.  A nuanced understanding of Internet use and non-use amongst older adults , 2015 .

[6]  Thomas A Morton,et al.  Activating and Guiding the Engagement of Seniors With Online Social Networking: Experimental Findings From the AGES 2.0 Project , 2018, Journal of aging and health.

[7]  S. Ram.  A Model of Innovation Resistance , 1987 .

[8]  Arthur D. Fisk,et al.  Older adults talk technology: Technology usage and attitudes , 2010, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[9]  J. Cacioppo,et al.  Social Relationships and Health: The Toxic Effects of Perceived Social Isolation. , 2014, Social and personality psychology compass.

[10]  S. Folstein,et al.  "Mini-mental state". A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. , 1975, Journal of psychiatric research.

[11]  F. Amaro,et al.  Coming of (Old) Age in the Digital Age: ICT Usage and Non-Usage among Older Adults , 2013 .

[12]  L. N. Karlovic,et al.  Fostering Critical Reflection in Adulthood: A Guide to Transformative and Emancipatory Learning. Jack Mezirow. 1990. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. , 1992, Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education.

[13]  Jan L. Plass,et al.  Interactivity in multimedia learning: An integrated model , 2010, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[14]  Joseph Sharit,et al.  The personalized reminder information and social management system (PRISM) trial: rationale, methods and baseline characteristics. , 2015, Contemporary clinical trials.

[15]  Isabel Maria Macedo,et al.  Predicting the acceptance and use of information and communication technology by older adults: An empirical examination of the revised UTAUT2 , 2017, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[16]  J. Jolles,et al.  Effects of computer training and Internet usage on the well-being and quality of life of older adults: a randomized, controlled study. , 2008, The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences.

[17]  Viswanath Venkatesh,et al.  Consumer Acceptance and Use of Information Technology: Extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology , 2012, MIS Q..

[18]  Sil Aarts,et al.  Older Adults' Reasons for Using Technology while Aging in Place , 2015, Gerontology.

[19]  Jakob Nielsen,et al.  Usability engineering , 1997, The Computer Science and Engineering Handbook.

[20]  Milena M. Head,et al.  Computer use by older adults: A multi-disciplinary review , 2010, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[21]  T. Kamarck,et al.  Measuring the Functional Components of Social Support , 1985 .

[22]  David C. Yen,et al.  Online shopping drivers and barriers for older adults: Age and gender differences , 2014, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[23]  A. LaCroix,et al.  Patterns of technology use among older adults with and without disabilities. , 2015, The Gerontologist.

[24]  Peter Gregor,et al.  Computer use has no demonstrated impact on the well-being of older adults , 2006, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud..

[25]  Todd E. Bodner,et al.  Growth Mixture Modeling , 2007 .

[26]  N. Charness,et al.  Improving Social Support for Older Adults Through Technology: Findings From the PRISM Randomized Controlled Trial , 2018, The Gerontologist.

[27]  Stephan Bandelow,et al.  The relationship between cognitive abilities, well-being and use of new technologies in older people , 2010, ECCE.

[28]  G. Jay,et al.  Influence of direct computer experience on older adults' attitudes toward computers. , 1992, Journal of gerontology.

[29]  John Dunlosky,et al.  Metacognition in Later Adulthood , 2011, Current directions in psychological science.

[30]  B. Winblad,et al.  Influence of social network on occurrence of dementia: a community-based longitudinal study , 2000, The Lancet.

[31]  Joseph Sharit,et al.  Investigating the Roles of Knowledge and Cognitive Abilities in Older Adult Information Seeking on the Web , 2008, TCHI.

[32]  Joseph Sharit,et al.  Factors predicting the use of technology: findings from the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE). , 2006, Psychology and aging.

[33]  J. Coughlin,et al.  PERSPECTIVE: Older Adults' Adoption of Technology: An Integrated Approach to Identifying Determinants and Barriers , 2015 .

[34]  D. Posada,et al.  Model selection and model averaging in phylogenetics: advantages of akaike information criterion and bayesian approaches over likelihood ratio tests. , 2004, Systematic biology.

[35]  John J. Prindle,et al.  A latent change score analysis of a randomized clinical trial in reasoning training. , 2008, Psychology and aging.

[36]  Monica Anderson and Andrew Perrin.  Tech Adoption Climbs Among Older Adults , 2017 .

[37]  A. Sanabria,et al.  Randomized controlled trial. , 2005, World journal of surgery.

[38]  N. Charness,et al.  Factors Predicting the Use of Technology: Findings From the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) , 2006 .

[39]  Pamela K. Smith,et al.  Models of visuospatial and verbal memory across the adult life span. , 2002, Psychology and aging.

[40]  Gordon B. Davis,et al.  User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View , 2003, MIS Q..

[41]  Arthur D. Fisk,et al.  Designing for Older Adults: Principles and Creative Human Factors Approaches , 2004 .

[42]  Fred D. Davis.  Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology , 1989, MIS Q..

[43]  Joseph Sharit,et al.  Designing Training and Instructional Programs for Older Adults , 2012 .

[44]  S. Czaja,et al.  Technology training for older job-seeking adults: The efficacy of a program offered through a university-community collaboration , 2016 .

[45]  Joseph Sharit,et al.  Computer proficiency questionnaire: assessing low and high computer proficient seniors. , 2015, The Gerontologist.

[46]  E. Pedhazur.  Multiple Regression in Behavioral Research: Explanation and Prediction , 1982 .

[47]  Fang-Yu Chang,et al.  The attitudes, impact, and learning needs of older adults using apps on touchscreen mobile devices: Results from a pilot study , 2016, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[48]  Jakob Nielsen,et al.  Chapter 4 – The Usability Engineering Lifecycle , 1993 .

[49]  E. Clipp,et al.  A randomized controlled trial of the psychosocial impact of providing internet training and access to older adults , 2002, Aging & mental health.

[50]  A. Bandura.  Social cognitive theory: an agentic perspective. , 1999, Annual review of psychology.

[51]  J. Day,et al.  Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2003 , 2005 .

[52]  N. Choi,et al.  The Digital Divide Among Low-Income Homebound Older Adults: Internet Use Patterns, eHealth Literacy, and Attitudes Toward Computer/Internet Use , 2013, Journal of medical Internet research.

[53]  A profile of older Americans. , 1986, The Florida nurse.

[54]  M. Mehl,et al.  Cognitive Benefits of Online Social Networking for Healthy Older Adults , 2016, The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences.

[55]  Jack Mezirow,et al.  Fostering Critical Reflection in Adulthood: A Guide to Transformative and Emancipatory Learning , 1990 .

[56]  A. Raftery.  Bayes Factors and BIC , 1999 .

[57]  S. Cotten,et al.  Impact of Internet Use on Loneliness and Contact with Others Among Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Analysis , 2013, Journal of medical Internet research.

[58]  E. Helsper,et al.  A nuanced understanding of Internet use and non-use among the elderly , 2015 .

[59]  M. Siponen,et al.  Consumer Acceptance and Use of Information Technology: Adding consumption theory to UTAUT2 , 2011 .

[60]  D. Jung,et al.  Computer and Internet Interventions for Loneliness and Depression in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis , 2012, Healthcare informatics research.

[61]  E. Rogers,et al.  Diffusion of innovations , 1964, Encyclopedia of Sport Management.

[62]  Thomas Kuhn,et al.  Health Problem Solving by Older Persons Using a Complex Government Web Site: Analysis and Implications for Web Design , 2011, TACC.