Seniors’ Perspective on Perceived Transfer Effects of Assistive Robots in Elderly Care: Capability Approach Analysis

摘要

There have been widespread critiques towards the lack of contextual approaches in the adoption theories. This paper argues that independent living plays a significant role in adoption of assistive technologies such as robots among seniors. Therefore, the present article introduces perceived transfer effects as a cognitive process in which elderly realize how assistive robots help them in their functional abilities to empower their capabilities required to live independently. The study conducts qualitative interviews to understand the constructs contributing to the perceived transfer effects of assistive robots from seniors’ perspective. The paper demonstrates the potentials of the capability approach in the context of assistive robots for elderly. The paper opens avenues of research in adoption of similar types of assistive technologies among elderly. The article also informs nursing and aged care professionals about the better adoption of robots as an alternative intervention to improve the everyday life of seniors.