Page 77 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
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E = 4.32, MSE = 4.46), provision of emergency services (MPE = 4.17, MSE attitudes towards smart technologies among older people and their informal carers in slovenia 75
= 4.41), and technology-related services (e.g., installation, maintenance) (MPE
= 4.17, MSE = 4.36) as the most important functionalities of telecare services.
The least important functionality was leisure activity (MPE = 1.98, MSE = 2.35)
(Table 1).
Beside studying main areas of telecare functionalities, we also investigat-
ed the importance of specific functionalities, which were measured with a bat-
tery of 29 indicators within eight main areas of functionalities. We found a sta-
tistically significant difference in responses between PEs and their SEs on only
two indicators. On average, it was more important to the SEs that PE could use
the tablet to call family members or friends (MSE = 3.27, SD = 0.184) than it was
to PEs (MPE = 2.65, SD = 0.193, t(107) = -2.342, p < .05). It was also more im-
portant for the SEs that PE has a medication reminder (MSE = 3.67, SD = 0.173)
than for PE (MPE = 2.94, SD = 0.213, t(105) = -2.640, p< .05).
Technology competence
We found a statistically significant difference in the technology competence of
PEs and SEs (MPE = 2.61, MSE = 2.12, p = 0.000)1 as well as in their interest in
technology (MPE = 3.12, MSE = 3.70, p = 0.004). Both PEs and SEs showed in-
terest in technological developments, with the proportion of SEs who fully or
largely agreed with this statement (78.2 %) being significantly higher than the
proportion of PEs (47.3 %). The data also shows that more than one-third of PEs
find dealing with new technologies challenging and difficult. In addition, more
than half of SEs agreed that dealing with technological innovations is usually
overwhelming for them.
We were interested also in participants‘ self-perceived ability to use new
technologies compared to the general technology skills of their peers. 85.5 % of
SEs and half (50.9 %) of PEs rated them as very good or good. A significant pro-
portion (30.9 %) of PEs rated their ability to use new technologies as average
and 18.2 % rated their ability as poor or that they were complete novices. No
correlation was found between PEs‘ ability to use new technologies and their
assessment of the importance of individual telecare functionalities (p>0.05).
Discussion
A substantial proportion of the PEs in our study were still independent, al-
though slightly less than half had a history of falls. However, regardless of health
status, PEs and SEs both identified the provision of safety and emergency ser-
vices as the most important functionalities of telecare services. These func-
tionalities of telecare services provide security and rapid response in emergen-
cy situations, which are perceived benefits that may lead to the adoption of such
1 Technology competence and technology interest were each measured with 4 items as
part of the TC scale. Technology competence was measured with negative-worded items;
higher average score indicates lower competence.
= 4.41), and technology-related services (e.g., installation, maintenance) (MPE
= 4.17, MSE = 4.36) as the most important functionalities of telecare services.
The least important functionality was leisure activity (MPE = 1.98, MSE = 2.35)
(Table 1).
Beside studying main areas of telecare functionalities, we also investigat-
ed the importance of specific functionalities, which were measured with a bat-
tery of 29 indicators within eight main areas of functionalities. We found a sta-
tistically significant difference in responses between PEs and their SEs on only
two indicators. On average, it was more important to the SEs that PE could use
the tablet to call family members or friends (MSE = 3.27, SD = 0.184) than it was
to PEs (MPE = 2.65, SD = 0.193, t(107) = -2.342, p < .05). It was also more im-
portant for the SEs that PE has a medication reminder (MSE = 3.67, SD = 0.173)
than for PE (MPE = 2.94, SD = 0.213, t(105) = -2.640, p< .05).
Technology competence
We found a statistically significant difference in the technology competence of
PEs and SEs (MPE = 2.61, MSE = 2.12, p = 0.000)1 as well as in their interest in
technology (MPE = 3.12, MSE = 3.70, p = 0.004). Both PEs and SEs showed in-
terest in technological developments, with the proportion of SEs who fully or
largely agreed with this statement (78.2 %) being significantly higher than the
proportion of PEs (47.3 %). The data also shows that more than one-third of PEs
find dealing with new technologies challenging and difficult. In addition, more
than half of SEs agreed that dealing with technological innovations is usually
overwhelming for them.
We were interested also in participants‘ self-perceived ability to use new
technologies compared to the general technology skills of their peers. 85.5 % of
SEs and half (50.9 %) of PEs rated them as very good or good. A significant pro-
portion (30.9 %) of PEs rated their ability to use new technologies as average
and 18.2 % rated their ability as poor or that they were complete novices. No
correlation was found between PEs‘ ability to use new technologies and their
assessment of the importance of individual telecare functionalities (p>0.05).
Discussion
A substantial proportion of the PEs in our study were still independent, al-
though slightly less than half had a history of falls. However, regardless of health
status, PEs and SEs both identified the provision of safety and emergency ser-
vices as the most important functionalities of telecare services. These func-
tionalities of telecare services provide security and rapid response in emergen-
cy situations, which are perceived benefits that may lead to the adoption of such
1 Technology competence and technology interest were each measured with 4 items as
part of the TC scale. Technology competence was measured with negative-worded items;
higher average score indicates lower competence.
