Understanding older adults' perception, acceptance, and adoption of smart home technologies
Clinical Snapshot
PICO Framework
| P — Population | Older adults aged 65-90 years from UK, Malta, and Pakistan |
| I — Intervention | Exposure to smart home technology images and videos during interviews |
| C — Comparator | Not applicable (qualitative descriptive study) |
| O — Outcomes | Perceptions, acceptance barriers, adoption factors, and cross-cultural differences regarding smart home technologies |
Bottom Line
This qualitative study of 21 older adults across three countries reveals that while older adults recognise the potential benefits of smart home technologies for independence and wellbeing, significant barriers persist. Key obstacles include cost, privacy concerns, technical compatibility issues, and limited knowledge of available options. The COVID-19 pandemic increased older adults' reliance on digital technologies but also highlighted quality of life challenges. Cross-cultural differences emerged, with European participants more familiar with these technologies than those in Pakistan, particularly rural areas. For Australian healthcare providers, these findings suggest that successful implementation of smart home technologies in aged care requires addressing affordability, improving user-friendly design, ensuring robust privacy protections, and providing adequate education and support. The research highlights the importance of culturally sensitive approaches and consideration of rural-urban divides in technology access and familiarity.
Key Findings
P Value: Not applicable - qualitative study
Effect Size: Not applicable - qualitative study
Primary Outcome: Identification of key barriers to smart home technology adoption: affordability, privacy/trust concerns, compatibility issues, and environmental/social considerations
Nnt Or Sensitivity: Cross-cultural differences identified with European participants showing higher familiarity than Pakistani participants, particularly in rural areas
Confidence Interval: Not applicable - qualitative study
Clinical Application
Findings suggest need for improved affordability and usability before widespread adoption feasible Relevant to Australian aged care policy and digital health initiatives. Considerations for rural/remote areas similar to Pakistani findings. May inform TGA medical device regulations for smart home health technologies Community-dwelling older adults aged 65+ considering smart home technologies for independence and wellbeing
Abstract
Smart home technologies have increased in popularity and affordability in recent years, however, there is limited research on their adoption specifically among older adults. This study aims to uncover incentives and barriers to the adoption of smart home components, given the impact of COVID-19 on older adults' quality of life (QoL). For this purpose, online audio-recorded interviews were conducted with 21 participants aged between 65 and 90 years from the UK, Malta, and Pakistan. Participants were shown various smart home technology images and videos and asked for their perception, existing knowledge, and current use. The corresponding audio recordings were transcribed and thematically analysed. Findings revealed that older adults experienced a decline in QoL during COVID-19, accompanied by an increased reliance on digital technologies. While participants recognised the potential of smart home devices to enhance independence and well-being, their knowledge of available options was limited. Key barriers included affordability, privacy and trust concerns, compatibility and integration issues, and environmental and social considerations. Cross-cultural differences emerged, with European participants reporting higher familiarity than those in Pakistan, particularly rural areas where availability was limited. These results highlight the need for designers and policymakers to improve affordability, usability, and cultural adaptability in order to support older adults' acceptance and meaningful adoption of smart home technologies.
References
- 1.Pirzada, P., Wilde, A., Doherty, G. H., & Harris-Birtill, D. (2026). Understanding older adults' perception, acceptance, and adoption of smart home technologies. PLoS One, 21(1), e0345563. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0345563
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