title: Individual variability and environmental characteristics influence older adults' abilities to manage everyday technology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ability to manage everyday technology (ET), such as computers and microwave ovens, is increasingly required in the performance of everyday activities and participation in society. This study aimed to identify aspects that influence the ability to manage ET among older adults with and without cognitive impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Older adults with mild Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment and without known cognitive impairment were assessed as they managed their ET at home. Data were collected using the Management of Everyday Technology Assessment (META). Rasch-based measures of the person's ability to manage ET were analyzed. These measures were used as dependent variables in backward procedure ANOVA analyses. Different predefined aspects that could influence the ability to manage ET were used as independent variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three aspects had a significant effect upon the ability to manage ET. These were: (1) variability in intrapersonal capacities (such as "the capacity to pay attention and focus", (2) environmental characteristics (such as "the impact of the design") and (3) diagnostic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Variability in intrapersonal capacities seems to be of more importance than the actual level of intrapersonal capacity in relation to the ability to manage ET for this sample. This implies that investigations of ability to manage ET should also include intraperson variability. Additionally, adaptations in environmental characteristics could simplify the management of ET to support older adults as technology users.
authors: Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Occupational Therapy, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. camilla.malinowsky@ki.se
authors: Camilla
authors: C
authors: Malinowsky
authors: Ove
authors: O
authors: Almkvist
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Nygård
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Kottorp
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D001076:Aptitude; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology*; D003197:Computer Literacy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006794:Household Articles; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013672:Technology