Exploring facilitators and barriers to engagement with technology among older adults with and without frailty

Introduction

Literature reviews indicate older adults are less engaged in using digital technologies due to reasons such as fear of falling and perceived lack of time. However, there is limited literature on the facilitators and barriers to engagement in digitally enabled interventions, like remote exercise programmes with sensors, among older adults with frailty. This study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers to engagement in digital interventions among community-dwelling older adults with and without frailty.

Method

Community-dwelling older adults at or above 65 years old across the United Kingdoms were invited to participate in this study. Qualitative data were collected using 1:1 semi-structured interviews to understand their experiences(SETREC 6875521). Frailty was measured using PRISMA-7 where a score of greater than two was considered Frail. Purposive sampling was conducted to ensure a representative cohort was included. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using Braun and Clarke thematic analysis.

Results

Overall, 26 participants were interviewed and 13(50%) were females. The mean age was 74.7(SD 7.67)years old, and mean duration of the interviews was 64(SD 21.2) minutes. Six (23%) were frail on PRISMA-7. Eight themes emerged: cost, usability and functions, personal motivation, influence of immediate network, external influences, device design, perceived health benefits, and concerns about privacy and data protection. Twenty-five subthemes which emerged were categorised into facilitators and barriers to engagement. Examples of subthemes are: clear provision of health benefits was a facilitator; concerns over privacy and data protection were barriers to engagement. Participants felt there was room to do more among stakeholders like government and technology companies.

Conclusions

The findings highlighted various facilitators and barriers which influenced engagement with digitally enabled interventions among community-dwelling older adults with and without frailty. Wider applications of digitally enabled interventions can be informed by recommendations to overcome barriers to engagement.