Older Adults' Perspectives on Adopting Smart Home Technology for ‘Proactive Health’: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

AimSmart home technology, as an emerging innovation, holds significant potential to support proactive health by enabling accurate prediction and intelligent warning of health issues. This study aims to explore older adults' perceptions of adopting smart home technology to promote proactive health.DesignAn exploratory qualitative study.MethodsFocus groups and one‐on‐one interviews were held with 20 older adults recruited from a retirement activity center, a nursing home, and the geriatrics department of a tertiary hospital in China between June and October 2024. The interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and further examined through the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model.ResultsThe analysis identified four themes: (1) The need for care is the primary determinant for older adults' consideration of adopting smart home technology. When care is needed, factors such as self‐care ability, care from children and the caregiving capabilities of smart home technology play a crucial role in their decision‐making process. (2) Older adults expect smart home technology to deliver essential healthcare services, including health monitoring and counselling, emergency assistance and emotional support. (3) Individual differences, interplay with life experiences, significantly influence older adults' willingness to adopt smart home technology. (4) The perceived effectiveness of technology, age‐friendly design, potential technical malfunctions and privacy concerns are also critical factors affecting adoption decisions. All themes were also matched to perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and attitude in the Technology Acceptance Model.ConclusionThis study provides valuable insights into older adults' perspectives on adopting smart home technology and serves as a reference for its development in geriatric health management. To enhance the applicability of these technologies, nurses should collaborate with developers, integrating their expertise in elderly care and daily living needs.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareThe findings offer guidance for advancing smart home technology to better address the health needs of older adults. By integrating these technologies into practice, nurses can more effectively respond to the unique health conditions of older adults, optimise nursing workflows and enhance the overall quality of care. Ultimately, this ensures that older adults remain the primary beneficiaries of technological advancements in healthcare.Reporting MethodThe study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.Patient or Public ContributionLimited patient and public involvement was incorporated, focusing on feedback on data analysis.