Usability and acceptability of a website that provides tailored advice on falls prevention activities for older people.
This article presents the usability and acceptability of a website that provides older people with tailored advice to help motivate them to undertake physical activities that prevent falls. Views on the website from interviews with 16 older people and 26 sheltered housing wardens were analysed thematically. The website was well received with only one usability difficulty with the action plan calendar. The older people selected balance training activities out of interest or enjoyment, and appeared to carefully add them into their current routine. The wardens were motivated to promote the website to their residents, particularly those who owned a computer, had balance problems, or were physically active. However, the participants noted that currently a minority of older people use the Internet. Also, some older people underestimated how much activity was enough to improve balance, and others perceived themselves as too old for the activities.
Nyman
Samuel R
SR
Institute of Health Sciences University of Reading London Road, Reading RG1 5AQ, UK. s.r.nyman@reading.ac.uk
Yardley
Lucy
L
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014584:User-Computer Interface