Technology use for care, support and social connect in the community: preliminary findings from the DIALOGUE project

Digital technologies (smart phones, tablets, smart speakers) are becoming prevalent in social care provision to facilitate older people to maintain independent living. However, there is a paucity of understanding of what type of technologies are being trialled by social care services, or if people are being offered to use them. To understand what type of technologies may/not be suitable for social care delivery, a series of workshops were conducted across three sites in England (Northeast, Southwest, Central England), with adults aged 65+ years. Eighteen older adults were recruited, thirteen were women, white British (n=16), seven self-reported a physical impairment, disability or a social care package in place. Findings identified four themes, 1. everyday technology use, 2. Perceived Benefits of Technology for Care and Independence, 3. Concerns and Barriers to Technology Adoption, 4. Priorities for Future Technology-Enabled Care. This work identifies the need for researchers to be cognisant of the challenges including digital literacy, and it lays the foundations for future research priorities in the field of applied research in social care.