Abstract
Introduction:
The feasibility of using smartphones for virtual occupational therapy home assessments has been previously established, indicating potential application for community-dwelling older adults. However, there remain uncertainties about how older adults perceive and are able to engage with this technology.
Objective:
This study aims to (a) explore how older adults perceive the potential use of smartphones in home assessments, (b) assess the digital literacy of older adults in using smartphones for home assessments, and (c) examine potential relationships between older adults' digital literacy and their perspectives on the use of smartphones for home assessments.
Method:
Following ethics approval, a structured procedure was developed to collect data through semi-structured interviews and digital assessments. Participants were recruited through a community-based healthy ageing program and interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using indicative thematic analysis. The digital assessments were quantitatively scored and analysed into descriptive statistics.
Result:
As of August 2024, data have been collected from five participants, with recruitment ongoing to achieve data saturation, anticipated at 8–10 participants. Preliminary data analysis identifies favourable attitudes towards the use of home assessment via smartphone. This study is expected to be completed by December 2024, with final results available thereafter.
Conclusion:
This study aims to provide insights into older adults' acceptance and ability to adopt virtual occupational therapy home assessment via smartphone, with potential implications for informing the development of more accessible and user-friendly telehealth services for older adults.
The feasibility of using smartphones for virtual occupational therapy home assessments has been previously established, indicating potential application for community-dwelling older adults. However, there remain uncertainties about how older adults perceive and are able to engage with this technology.
Objective:
This study aims to (a) explore how older adults perceive the potential use of smartphones in home assessments, (b) assess the digital literacy of older adults in using smartphones for home assessments, and (c) examine potential relationships between older adults' digital literacy and their perspectives on the use of smartphones for home assessments.
Method:
Following ethics approval, a structured procedure was developed to collect data through semi-structured interviews and digital assessments. Participants were recruited through a community-based healthy ageing program and interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using indicative thematic analysis. The digital assessments were quantitatively scored and analysed into descriptive statistics.
Result:
As of August 2024, data have been collected from five participants, with recruitment ongoing to achieve data saturation, anticipated at 8–10 participants. Preliminary data analysis identifies favourable attitudes towards the use of home assessment via smartphone. This study is expected to be completed by December 2024, with final results available thereafter.
Conclusion:
This study aims to provide insights into older adults' acceptance and ability to adopt virtual occupational therapy home assessment via smartphone, with potential implications for informing the development of more accessible and user-friendly telehealth services for older adults.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 76-76 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Australian Occupational Therapy Journal |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue number | S1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Jun 2025 |