Exploring factors that impact the decision to use assistive telecare: perspectives of family care-givers of older people in the United Kingdom

Cook, Erica J., Randhawa, Gurch, Guppy, Andy, Sharp, Chloe, Barton, Garry, Bateman, Andrew and Crawford-White, Jane (2018) Exploring factors that impact the decision to use assistive telecare: perspectives of family care-givers of older people in the United Kingdom. Ageing and Society, 38 (9). pp. 1912-1932. ISSN 0144-686X

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Abstract

In the United Kingdom (UK), an ageing population met with the reduction of social care funding has led to reduced support for older people marked with an increased demand on family care-givers. Assistive telecare (AT) devices are viewed as an innovative and effective way to support older people. However, there is limited research which has explored adoption of AT from the perspectives of family care-givers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 family care-givers of patients who used the Assistive Telehealth and Telecare service in Cambridgeshire, UK. Family care-givers were either the spouse (N = 8) or child of the patient (N = 6). The patients' age ranged from 75 to 98, and either received a telecare standalone device or connected service. Framework analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. This study revealed that family care-givers play a crucial role in supporting the patient's decision to adopt and engage with AT devices. Knowledge and awareness, perceived responsibility, usefulness and usability, alongside functionality of the equipment, were influential factors in the decision-making process. AT devices were viewed positively, considered easy to use, useful and functional, with reassurance of the patient's safety being a core reason for adoption. Efforts to increase adoption and engagement should adapt recruitment strategies and service pathways to support both the patient and their care-giver.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: telecare,adoption,assistive technology,older people,informal care,family care-givers
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Economics
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Clinical Trials Unit
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023)
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 21 Jun 2017 05:05
Last Modified: 21 May 2024 09:30
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/63784
DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X1700037X

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