Antecedents for Older Adults' Intention to Use Smart Health Wearable Devices-Technology Anxiety as a Moderator.

The increase in the demands for surveillance of chronic diseases, long-term care, and self-health management has allowed mobile smart health wearable devices to become products with greater business potential in past years. Wearable devices being able to be worn for long periods are the most suitable for 24-h weatherproof monitoring. Nevertheless, most technological products are not developed specifically for older adults. Older adults might be apprehensive and fearful about the use of technological equipment and might appear "technologically anxious", so it was wondered whether older adults could smoothly operate and comfortably use smart wearable device products, and how "technological anxiety" would affect their behavior and attitude towards using these devices. The variables of "technology readiness", "technological interactivity", "perceived usefulness", "perceived ease of use", "attitude", and "intention to use" are therefore discussed in this study. Taking "technological anxiety" as the moderating variable to develop the questionnaire scale, the quantitative research with structural equation model is applied to discuss the older adults' intention to use smart health wearable devices. The questionnaire was distributed to older adults' community care centers, senior centers, and senior learning centers in Taiwan, and to an older adults' group above the age of 60 with experience in using smart bracelets. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed, and 183 were retrieved, with 166 valid copies. The research results reveal that users with higher technology readiness, and older adult users with higher technological interactivity, present a higher perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Technological anxiety would affect users' attitude and further influence the intention to use. The research results could help understand older adults' needs for using smart health wearable devices.

A Performance Evaluation Matrix for Measuring the Life Satisfaction of Older Adults Using eHealth Wearables.

eHealth wearables can track users' state of health, record their physiological data, and facilitate self-care. In this study, we examined whether they enhance older adults' casual exercise willingness and life satisfaction. After reviewing the related literature, the performance and satisfaction of elements for older adults to use eHealth Wearables were determined. The elements were derived from the means-end chain analysis. Three dimensions, product attributes, beneficial consequences, personal values, and responding elements, were identified first. The Performance Evaluation Matrix (PEM) was then established to determine the elements to be improved. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 206 valid questionnaires were completed and returned. In the proposed PEM, the product attributes that were in the priority improvement zone were accessibility, learnability, usability, affordability, positioning, pedometer, heart rate monitor, and data feedback. These elements are the most essential properties in need of improvement.

Analyzing Older Adults' Perceived Values of Using Smart Bracelets by Means-End Chain.

To cope with the demands for medical care in an aging society, smart healthcare wearable devices that can measure physiological signals are being regarded as the primary tools in medical care programs, allowing the users to acquire basic health data. Although the smart healthcare wearable devices could be applied to disease management and prevention that could help older adults control their health, older adults must be willing and able to use and continue to use them. In this research, interviews conducted through means-end chain (MEC) and laddering were used to guide the older adults step-by-step by explaining abstract ideas and emphasizing value in their perceptions of specific attributes. A "hierarchical value map" was further constructed to confirm the perceived value of smart healthcare wearable devices to older adults. The research results showed that, in terms of attribute functions, seniors believed that smart bracelets in mobile health devices should have the attributes of safe use, real-time information feedback, correct data, comfortable wear, and clear screen. In terms of consequent benefits, older adults can use smart bracelets in mobile health devices to gain benefits in learning about smart products, understanding technology applications, increasing health awareness and relaxation, and satisfying curiosity. In terms of value goals, older adults want to achieve the value goals of a sense of social belonging, improved quality of life, and healthier bodies. Health is the most important thing for older adults, but previous research has often focused on the use of equipment for physical examinations; relatively few studies have allowed older adults to experience the equipment personally. The device can provide the ultimate value of long-term health promotion for older adults.

The Factors Affecting Older Adults' Intention toward Ongoing Participation in Virtual Reality Leisure Activities.

Due to the aging of organs, older adults may have limited physical strength for participating in outdoor activities. Therefore, indoor activities offer an alternative for maintaining the health of older adults. Following advances in technology, individuals can use virtual reality to exercise in their homes and are no longer subject to the constraints of the outdoor environment or weather conditions. In addition, these activities are easier to participate in when compared to real-world leisure activities. The present research included 294 older adults as its research subjects. They were given firsthand experience of Wii games for 10 weeks, in order to examine the ongoing participation intention of older adults following an experience with virtual reality leisure activities. The study found that experience attributes, experience consequences, and experience values were important factors in determining ongoing participation intention and can effectively predict ongoing participation intention. Four experience attributes-ease of use, usefulness, safety and flexibility, and fun-significantly influenced the experience value and experience consequences of older adults' participants. Experience values also influenced ongoing participation intention.

The Elderly Perceived Meanings and Values of Virtual Reality Leisure Activities: A Means-End Chain Approach.

This study uses means-end chain (MEC) techniques to examine the awareness, decision-making procedure, and personal values of the elderly with regard to virtual reality leisure activities. The results of the study show that elderly respondents value virtual reality leisure activities that are fun, safe, and easy. In terms of outcome benefits, elderly respondents value feeling physically and mentally healthy, firsthand experience, and satisfied curiosity. In value terms, elderly respondents hope that their chosen virtual reality leisure activities improve not only their relationships with others, but also their enjoyment, quality of life, and sense of belonging. The results show that, while consumers with different awarenesses of virtual reality leisure activities have different decision-making processes, they share creating "good memories" as the terminal value with the most significant effect. This presents a potential opportunity to promote virtual reality leisure activities. Relevant bodies or enterprises can seek to create good memories in consumers by developing activities that are safe and fun, promote good health, and provide good service, thereby attracting the interest of elderly consumers.

Effects of leisure education on self-rated health among older adults.

This study examined whether a leisure education program could promote leisure autonomy and self-rated health (SRH) among older adults. A pretest-posttest randomized experimental design was conducted. Subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). Data related to leisure autonomy and SRH were collected shortly before and after the experiment. Pretest and posttest data were analyzed using an analysis of covariance. The results indicated that the average posttest scores of leisure autonomy and SRH in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Implications of the results are discussed.