Occupational Therapy Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2017
Journal
British Journal of Occupational Therapy
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022617711669
Abstract
Method
This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 20 occupational therapists in England and Scotland. The goal was to identify those enabling factors necessary for occupational therapists to adopt assisted living technology.
Results
Five themes emerged regarding the enablers needed to support the adoption of assisted living technology by occupational therapists, including: (1) a positive client–therapist relationship; (2) affordability; (3) time; (4) increased awareness, education, and training; and (5) usability features of the assisted living technology.
Conclusion
With an aging population and the increasing role that technology is playing globally in older adults’ lives, it has never been more important for occupational therapists to harness the potential of new, developing, and existing technologies to support people to live and age as well as possible. To accomplish this, however, requires that occupational therapists are equipped with the time, training, and education necessary to offer their clients assisted living technologies that are client-centered, usable, and affordable.
