Elderly & Technology

With an ageing population, there is a rising trend for calculating machine scientists and engineers to take into account the elderly in the design of in the raw products and technologies. Designing products for the grey market where the consumers (elderly) ar proven to be big spenders has its economical value for the businessman, and also helps improve safeguard and quality of their consumers lives (The Economist, 2005). Technologies specifically for the elderly include healthcare products, electronic gad wees and other electrical appliances to help them lead a to a greater extent independent lifestyle.

Fig. 1: Proportion of world population 60 years or over, 1950-2050 (Source: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs)
However, it is unavoidable that some products may non be well-received by its targeted audience. match to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Davis (1986), user toleration behavior is highly governed by their perceived usefulness and readiness of use (York University, n.d.). Hence some products which are specially designed for the elderly may lose their invoke if they are not considerate in terms of these 2 ideas.
There are several reasons why elderly are reluctant to turn out new technologies.



They are less receptive to new technologies as compared to the younger generation because they were not introduced to new technologies for almost their blameless lifetime. They tend to pick up new skills slower so are unwilling to use devices that take care complex and operose to start using. In addition, such devices do not seem to bring about significant improvements to them as compared to the time and front required to learn to use them. Such a phenomenon is well-supported by theory, where according to TAM, perceived ease of use is the most grievous reason as it is believed to impact perceived usefulness of a product. Hence, technologies that seem to be complicated will not appeal to the elderly.
Statistics have shown that elderly has remained the lowest computer and...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



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