Evaluating the feasibility and perceptions of a senior-friendly tablet among older adults in Singapore: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

Background: Digital technologies are becoming increasingly pervasive and integrated into our everyday life. This presents innovative opportunities to enhance older adults’ independent living and mental well-being. However, many older adults still lag behind in technological use. To enhance older adults’ mental well-being, a senior-friendly tablet known as SilverPad has been developed that is localised and multilingual to suit Singaporean older adults and designed to be inclusive for those who are less tech-savvy. SilverPad contains a suite of cognitive games and digital contents specially designed to be engaging and mentally stimulating for the older adults. Hence, this study was motivated to explore older adults’ attitudes and acceptance towards the use of digital technologies specifically SilverPad. Objective: To explore the feasibility, acceptability, and perceptions of a senior-friendly tablet from older adult users in Singapore who are not tech-savvy. Method: A single-group, mixed-methods, pre–post-study design was employed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and perceptions towards SilverPad from target older adult users in Singapore. Fourteen healthy older adults, above 60 years of age, completed the study. Results: Following a 2-week exposure to SilverPad, there was a significant improvement in participants’ comfort level with tablet use and mental well-being. Their interest level increased slightly but was marginally significant. However, there was no significant difference in participants’ sense of efficacy. Participants’ qualitative feedback provided further insights notably on the themes of perceived ease of use, satisfaction, perceived benefits, positive impacts experienced, and motivation to use the tablet, with some individual differences recognized. Conclusion: The current study has shown that most participants found the experience of using the SilverPad tablet to be satisfying and positive with demonstrable effects on their level of comfort and well-being. The study has also uncovered further insights on the usability and acceptability of using SilverPad that supports its feasibility to benefit older adults.