The Vista of Information Communication Technology in the Ageing Society: A Perspective from Elderly's Basic Needs

摘要

This study aimed to explore the elderly's basic needs which are indispensable for developing age-friendly Information Communication Technology (ICT) products. Seventeen interviewees who were aged from 54-90 yrs participated in the online/offline interviews. By qualitative and quantitative analysis, we showed the implication and contributory factors of the elderly's basic needs of "Health" and "Longevity." Physical (normal sensory function, no disease, etc.), psychological (inner peace, good mood, etc.) and environmental factors (companionship, etc.) all play important roles for elderly health and longevity. Among them, psychological factors are the most important, rather than physical factors. We found the typical problems in using and accepting ICT products, such as Technophobia and Learnability. The results suggested ICT products would play a more vital role in a future aging society. The age-friendly design is needed according to psychological and physical aging features and based on the elderly's basic needs.