# Senior Living Lab: An Ecological Approach to Foster Social Innovation in an Ageing Society
## 2 Background
### Older Adults and Technology  
Older adults' relationship with technology is heterogeneous, depending on age, gender, type of technology, availability of technology facilitators, price and many other factors [17; 18]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [17] reviewed several studies on technological acceptance in different contexts. Although many older adults have a positive attitude towards technology, they use it less than younger adults, and they show less interest in adopting new technologies. The explanation of the scarce older adults' adoption of technology can be found in Technology Adoption Models (TAM) [19] and in the more recent models Unified Theory of Acceptance of Use of Technology (UTAUT) [20] and UTAUT2 [18]. In particular, in the latest study, [PERSON] et al. [18] demonstrated that facilitating conditions (e.g., relatives supporting the learning of novel technologies) and price value are particularly important in relation to the behavioral intention to use technology pertaining to older women and that the habit has an effect on older men in later stages of experience. Among the most relevant factors that influence the technology acceptance and adoption, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [17] cite the perceived usefulness, the perceived ease of use and personal characteristics, such as biophysical characteristics, sensation and perception, mobility, cognition, psychosocial characteristics and social relationships. In the context of assistive technology, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [21] suggest that in order to obtain desirable devices, it is important to pay particular attention to the aesthetic design of the product, avoiding stigmatization and resemblance with medical devices, as well as to align the usefulness and usability with the desirability of the product. Concerning the usability and accessibility of technology, in 2006, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [22] analyzed the typical problems that older adults can have while interacting with mobile phones, suggesting design guidelines that can take into account the possible physical and cognitive impairments of older adults. Current touchscreen smartphones have improved the usability for older adults over traditional phones, but they still have much room for improvement, since older adults are often neglected as target users [23]. Touch interfaces have facilitated the access to digital information for older adults, thanks to improved learnability over traditional Window, Icon, Menu, Pointer (WIMP) interfaces [24], increasing the diffusion of Internet and other digital services among older adults. A recent report in Switzerland attested that the diffusion of Internet usage among older adults increased by 47% from 2009-2014, but still 44% of over 65 users lack Internet access. The report also shows a split attitude towards technology, equally distributed among technology enthusiasts, who are interested in new technologies and that have a good experience with them and those that are more reluctant [25]. The introduction of technology in older adults' lives can open several opportunities, increasing their quality of life and independence. According to the European Community, this could also have a huge economic impact on the whole society. Nevertheless, [PERSON] [26] underlines that most initiatives that promote ICT for older adults do not really come from the actual expectations and needs of older adults. Most technology for older adults is designed and developed by engineers, as a potential solution to common problems, but without including many older adults in the design and development of this solution. Indeed, promoting e-inclusion and offering easy-to-use digital services and products often ignore the opinion of a small, but still considerable, part of older adults that do not accept technology in their lives. According to [PERSON] [26], alternative solutions that do not make use of technology should be provided for these people.