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Increasing numbers of older adults are using smart mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablet computers, and e-readers, opening up new possibilities for staying connected and going online in the later stages of life. In this article, we use the term smart mobile devices to refer to the broader class of smartphones, tablet computers, and e-readers equipped with online capabilities and often, but not always, controlled through a touchscreen. Smart mobile devices are often touted as a viable platform for supporting a range of online activities for older adults, including new applications for staying connected with one’s social network, accessing information, and monitoring and promoting late-life health and wellness (e.g., Beacker et al., 2014; Tacconi, Mellone, & Chiari, 2011; Dai et al., 2010). Understanding how smart technologies can promote greater independence in older adulthood is an important topic in human-computer interaction research (Demiris et al., 2004; Lee, 2014), particularly among older segments of the population who stand the greatest risk for social isolation and have higher incident rates of chronic health conditions and associated disability (Cornwell & Waite, 2009). However, limited work has examined the user experience of or practical issues associated with older adults adopting, learning, and using smart mobile devices over time in a naturalistic context. This article presents a qualitative study describing the challenges presented by and opportunities afforded by modern commercially available smart mobile devices for older adults focusing on individuals age 80 and older in an assisted and independent living facility.
Prior work examines how older adults learn to use information and communication technology (ICT) over time (Sayago, Forbes, & Blat, 2013) but does not detail the longer-term practical challenges of smart mobile devices. Recent work has examined older adults’ attitudes towards adopting mobile devices, primarily focusing on feature phones, as well as older adults’ challenges and preferences in learning to use these devices (Kurniawan, 2006, 2008; Leung et al., 2012; Massimi, Baecker, & Wu, 2007). However, limited work has examined older adults learning to use smart mobile devices outside of a laboratory setting (e.g., Leung et al., 2012) largely because older adults are only now beginning to adopt and use these devices. In the United States, for example, only 18% of older adults (age 65+) own a smartphone, with a staggering 5% of older adults aged 80+ owning smartphones (Smith, 2014). With smart mobile devices envisioned as a pervasive platform for developing new applications and online tools for older adults, it is critical that we understand the day-to-day challenges older adults face in using and maintaining such technology.