User Characteristics and Ergonomic Properties for Daily Objects Design

2018 ◽  
pp. 264-282
Author(s):  
John A. Rey-Galindo ◽  
Elvia Luz González-Muñoz ◽  
Alicia Libertad Rizo-Corona
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
User Characteristics ◽  
Anthropometric Assessment

An analysis of different objects of daily use was made, specifically four models of lemon squeezers, three models of can openers, and four models of clothespins. Such analysis is made focusing on the strength needed to complete the task and the dimensional relation between the hands and object grips that impact both in ease of use and user well-being itself, identifying the gap between young and older adults characteristics and capabilities and the features of the object. This comparison was supported by a dynamometric study to identify the maximum capabilities of strength application in two different grip forces very common in daily life. These two grip forces are the ground of the interaction with the analyzed products. In conjunction with the force, the registry made an anthropometric assessment of different anatomical points in the hands.

Memory Compensation Strategies in Older People with Mild Cognitive Impairment

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-96
Author(s):  
Pinghsiu Lin ◽  
Haley M. LaMonica ◽  
Sharon L. Naismith ◽  
Loren Mowszowski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Subjective Memory Complaints ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Memory Complaints ◽  
Memory Strategy

AbstractObjectives:With the rapid growth of the older population worldwide, understanding how older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) use memory strategies to mitigate cognitive decline is important. This study investigates differences between amnestic and nonamnestic MCI subtypes in memory strategy use in daily life, and how factors associated with cognition, general health, and psychological well-being might relate to strategy use.Methods:One hundred forty-eight participants with MCI (mean age = 67.9 years, SD = 8.9) completed comprehensive neuropsychological, medical, and psychological assessments, and the self-report ‘Memory Compensation Questionnaire’. Correlational and linear regression analyses were used to explore relationships between memory strategy use and cognition, general health, and psychological well-being.Results:Memory strategy use does not differ between MCI subtypes (p > .007) despite higher subjective everyday memory complaints in those with amnestic MCI (p = .03). The most marked finding showed that increased reliance-type strategy use was significantly correlated with more subjective memory complaints and poorer verbal learning and memory (p < .01) in individuals with MCI. Moreover, fewer subjective memory complaints and better working memory significantly predicted (p < .05) less reliance strategy use, respectively, accounting for 10.6% and 5.3% of the variance in the model.Conclusions:In general, the type of strategy use in older adults with MCI is related to cognitive functioning. By examining an individual’s profile of cognitive dysfunction, a clinician can provide more personalized clinical recommendations regarding strategy use to individuals with MCI, with the aim of maintaining their day-to-day functioning and self-efficacy in daily life.

scholarly journals Contour of the Day: Social Patterning of Time in Later Life and Variation in Reported Well-Being in Activities

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110118
Author(s):  
Jack Lam ◽  
Joan Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cluster Analyses ◽  
Life Patterns ◽  
Primary Activity ◽  
Time Use Surveys

Objective: To contextualize experiences of activities during the day and investigate whether the contour of the day is correlated with well-being during activities. Methods: Drawing on American Time Use Surveys, we employ sequence and cluster analyses to create distinct typologies of daily life patterns, and bivariate analyses to describe whether well-being across activities varies by these typologies. Results: We identified four typologies characterized by different primary activity of the day: leisure (22.7%), TV (22.4%), housework (47.5%), and work (7.5%). Individuals in the work and leisure clusters tend to report more positive well-being and individuals in the housework and TV clusters tend to report more negative well-being in experiences of activities during the day. We also found that well-being experiences in the same activity differed across individuals in the different typologies. Conclusion: Understanding the daily life patterns of older adults may be important, given its correlation with well-being during activities.

scholarly journals Predicting Autonomous Shuttle Acceptance in Older Drivers Based on Technology Readiness/Use/Barriers, Life Space, Driving Habits, and Cognition

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherrilene Classen ◽  
Justin R. Mason ◽  
Seung Woo Hwangbo ◽  
Virginia Sisiopiku
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Life Space

Shared autonomous vehicle services (i. e., automated shuttles, AS) are being deployed globally and may improve older adults (&gt;65 years old) mobility, independence, and participation in the community. However, AS must be user friendly and provide safety benefits if older drivers are to accept and adopt this technology. Current potential barriers to their acceptance of AS include a lack of trust in the systems and hesitation to adopt emerging technology. Technology readiness, perceived ease of use, perceived barriers, and intention to use the technology, are particularly important constructs to consider in older adults' acceptance and adoption practices of AS. Likewise, person factors, i.e., age, life space mobility, driving habits, and cognition predict driving safety among older drivers. However, we are not sure if and how these factors may also predict older adults' intention to use the AS. In the current study, we examined responses from 104 older drivers (Mage = 74.3, SDage = 5.9) who completed the Automated Vehicle User Perception Survey (AVUPS) before and after riding in an on-road automated shuttle (EasyMile EZ10). The study participants also provided information through the Technology Readiness Index, Technology Acceptance Measure, Life Space Questionnaire, Driving Habits Questionnaire, Trail-making Test Part A and Part B (TMT A and TMT B). Older drivers' age, cognitive scores (i.e., TMT B), driving habits (i.e., crashes and/or citations, exposure, and difficulty of driving) and life space (i.e., how far older adults venture from their primary dwelling) were entered into four models to predict their acceptance of AVs—operationalized according to the subscales (i.e., intention to use, perceived barriers, and well-being) and the total acceptance score of the AVUPS. Next, a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) elucidated the relationships between, technology readiness, perceived ease of use, barriers to AV acceptance, life space, crashes and/or citations, driving exposure, driving difficulty, cognition, and intention to use AS. The regression models indicated that neither age nor cognition (TMT B) significantly predicted older drivers' perceptions of AVs; but their self-reported driving difficulty (p = 0.019) predicted their intention to use AVs: R2 = 6.18%, F (2,101) = 4.554, p = 0.040. Therefore, intention to use was the dependent variable in the subsequent PLS-SEM. Findings from the PLS-SEM (R2 = 0.467) indicated the only statistically significant predictors of intention to use were technology readiness (β = 0.247, CI = 0.087-0.411) and barriers to AV acceptance (β = −0.504, CI = 0.285-0.692). These novel findings provide evidence suggesting that technology readiness and barriers must be better understood if older drivers are to accept and adopt AS.

scholarly journals THE IMPLICATIONS OF DIGITAL SOCIAL INTERACTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS’ EXPERIENCES OF WELL-BEING IN DAILY LIFE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S15-S15
Author(s):  
Shannon T Mejia ◽  
Shelbie Turner ◽  
Karen Hooker
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Random Coefficient Models ◽  
Social Partners ◽  
Personal Understanding

Abstract Digital communication technologies expand opportunities for social interactions and as a result have the potential to either amplify or dampen the coupling of social interactions with well-being in daily life. We use data from the 100-day Personal Understanding of Life and Social Experiences project (n = 99, age = 50 – 88) to examine variation in the sensitivity of older adults’ daily reports of well-being to the quality of social interactions with their five closest social partners across digital (email/social media) and analogue (in person/by phone) interactions. Digital interactions were more common among less-close social partners. Multilevel random coefficient models showed days with more digital interactions than normal to be characterized by a) lower well-being and b) less sensitivity in well-being to the quality of social interactions with close social partners on that day. The implications of our findings are discussed within a life-span perspective of social relationships and well-being.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Experiences Using Wearable Devices: Meta-synthesis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Moore ◽  
Emma O'Shea ◽  
Lorna Kenny ◽  
John Barton ◽  
Salvatore Tedesco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Detection ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
User Characteristics ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Device Use

BACKGROUND Older adults (OA) can use wearable devices (WD) to monitor clinically relevant health metrics, improve physical activity, and monitor for falls. Little is known about how this population engages with WDs and no qualitative synthesis exists to describe their shared experiences with long term use of WD. OBJECTIVE This study attempts to understand the shared experience of OAs who took part in WD trials and the factors that contribute to the acceptance and sustained use of WDs. We aimed to synthesize qualitative studies that analysed the user experience after a multi-day trial with a WD. METHODS A systematic search was conducted of CINAHL, APA Psych Info, PubMed, and EMBASE (2015-2020, English) with fixed search terms relating to ‘older adults’ and ‘wearable devices,’ following PRISMA guidelines. An inductive meta-synthesis methodology was employed. Themes were extracted from primary studies, key concepts were identified, and reciprocal and refutational translation techniques were applied; findings were synthesised into third order interpretations and finally, a ‘line-of-argument’ was developed. RESULTS In total, 20 papers were reviewed; two evaluated fall detection devices, one tested an ankle worn step counter, and the remaining 17 tested activity trackers. Duration of wearing ranged from 3 days to 24 months. The views of 349 OAs (age range 51-94), were synthesised. Four key concepts were identified and outlined, namely: 1) motivation for device use, 2) user characteristics (openness to engage and functional ability), 3) integration into daily life, and 4) device features. Our ‘line-of-argument’ model describes how motivation, ease of use, and device purpose determine if a device is perceived to add value to the user’s life, which subsequently predicts if the device will be integrated into the user’s life. CONCLUSIONS In order to overcome usability barriers (e.g. limited technical ability), a support structure should be placed around the user that fosters motivation, encourages engagement with peers, and adapts to the user’s preferences. Future research should evaluate our model by conducting long term WD trials that use qualitative methods to comprehensively address the multiple stages of device use and the many factors that contribute to adherence.

scholarly journals Daily Cognitive Difficulties and Social Experiences Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 697-697
Author(s):  
Ruixue Zhaoyang ◽  
Jacqueline Mogle ◽  
Karra Harrington ◽  
Martin Sliwinski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Experiences ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Difficulties

Abstract Self-reported cognitive difficulties are common in older adults and may be an early indicator of future cognitive decline or dementia. In past retrospective reports, cognitive difficulties have been linked with differences in social engagement or social relationships among older adults. However, little is known about how self-reported cognitive difficulties in daily life, such as memory lapses, relate to older adults’ daily social experiences. This study examined how self-reported cognitive difficulties were related to older adults’ daily social interactions and loneliness. Data were drawn from 312 community-dwelling older adults (aged 70 to 90 years) who reported their social interactions and loneliness throughout the day (five times) as well as cognitive difficulties (e.g., memory lapses, problems with attention) at the end of each day for 14 days. Multilevel models revealed that participants reported fewer memory lapses on days when they reported more frequent interactions with family members (p=.041). Higher levels of disruptions to daily activities caused by cognitive difficulties, in turn, predicted higher levels of loneliness the next day (p=.006), but not changes in social interactions the next day. At the between-person level, more memory lapses in daily life were associated with less frequent social interactions with friends, but more frequent unpleasant social interactions and higher levels of loneliness on average. These results suggest that older adults’ self-reported cognitive difficulties were dynamically associated with their social interactions and loneliness at the daily level and played an important role in older adults’ social life and well-being.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Analysis of the Relationship Between Older Adults’ Daily Lives and Life Outlook

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 608-608
Author(s):  
Isabella Bouklas ◽  
Giancarlo Pasquini ◽  
Renee Gilbert ◽  
Cindy Bergeman ◽  
Stacey Scott
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Use Of Time ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dialectical Relationship

Abstract Leading theories of adult development suggest age-related changes in one’s life perspective and changes in one’s priorities are reflected in daily behavior. The present study explored how older adults understand their current lives through a qualitative study of midwestern Americans. Twenty-four participants (Mage= 69.53 years; age range=63-78 years) from the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-Being (Whitehead & Bergeman, 2014) completed semi-structured interviews in which they were asked about turning points across their lives. Inductive analysis using the constant comparative method (Maykut & Morehouse, 1994) resulted in 10 life-domains based on common descriptions across participants. These domains represented the ways in which participants understood their identities over the course of their lives, as well as their organization and use of time and space in daily life. Participants’ descriptions of both general life outlook and daily life informed one another, revealing the dialectical relationship between micro-level behaviors and macro-level attitudes.

scholarly journals Visualizing Physical Activity Patterns among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Sports ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Haga ◽  
Katerina Vrotsou ◽  
Ebba Bredland
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Physical Activity Patterns ◽  
Metabolic Equivalents

Regular physical activity relates to physical and mental functioning in older people, and promoting physical activity has the potential to substantially reduce functional decline and improve well-being. Despite this, investigations of the physical activity quotient through participation in functional activities in everyday life have traditionally gained limited focus among older populations compared to leisure-time physical activity and exercise. Considering the accumulated evidence of the health benefits of low-intensity physical activity, exploring and measuring such activities in this population is highly relevant. The aim of this study was to visualize and describe older people’s physical activity patterns in daily life using a time-geographic approach in combination with the estimation of metabolic equivalents (METS). To exemplify the new method, a sample of nine retired men (65–82 years old, mean age 76.4 ± 5.8) with no homecare services from the municipality was recruited. In order to enable a visual analysis of the physical activity patterns in daily life, we developed the VISUAL-PA software, which is a visual analysis tool that includes METS to account for intensity and enables the analysis of distinct types and domains of physical activity. The VISUAL-PA software creates graphic outputs of physical activity patterns that enable the identification, visualization, and analysis of distinct types and intensities of physical activity in addition to sedentary behavior. The use of VISUAL-PA can contribute to a broader understanding of the complexity in physical activity patterns among older adults in terms of dimensions such as activity patterns and habits, domains, and intensity level. To strengthen the public health strategies that promote health and an active lifestyle, additional knowledge about physical activity patterns is necessary. Moreover, the visualization of physical activity can enable reflections on and awareness of activity habits and preferences, and thus facilitate behavior changes in older individuals.

scholarly journals Meaning in Life and Meaningful Engagement in the Moment: Lives of Prosocial Leaders and Volunteers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 614-614
Author(s):  
Jeanne Nakamura ◽  
Ajit Mann
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Multilevel Analysis ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Questionnaire Data ◽  
Meaningful Engagement ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Theory Research

Abstract Recent years have seen growing interest in older adults’ sense of meaning in life, a core dimension of eudaimonic well-being throughout adulthood that has been associated in later life with reduced morbidity and mortality. Currently, the relations between this global sense of meaning in life and the experience of meaningful engagement in the moment remain largely unexplored, particularly in later lives that are distinguished by high levels of meaning. Multilevel analysis of ESM data from prosocial leaders and volunteers indicated that feelings of meaningful engagement fluctuated in daily life for both groups, even while questionnaire data showed that global sense of meaning in life was high. Examining basic sources of fulfillment (e.g., sense of relatedness) revealed type of involvement (leadership vs. volunteerism) affected the source(s) of fulfillment that connected meaning at the global and momentary levels. Implications for theory, research, and applied work on meaning and prosocial commitment are discussed.

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