Towards an Impact Assessment Framework for ICT-Based Systems Supporting Older People: Making Evaluation Comprehensive Through Appropriate Concepts and Metrics

Abstract

Although it is internationally acknowledged that ICT-based systems have the potential to provide cost-effective services, their deployment is still limited. Through the User Centred Design, it is possible to draw up information on key concepts, such as attitude towards technology, acceptance and usability of any new products. The collected information will serve for the technological development on one side, and for the Impact Assessment Analysis on the other one, that will describe the future path of the devices. The paper describes in details the most important metrics—attitude towards technology, usability and accessibility—for conducting a prompt evaluation of a new device for the older people, suggesting common guidelines and critical issues to solve.