## 3 Results
### Overview
#### 3.2.2. Theme 2: Acceptability and Usefulness for Older Adults and Their Carers  
The qualitative research reported in the selected studies inferred the extent of acceptability and usefulness from the responses rather than directly by asking the question. Older adults, in general, welcomed assistive technologies if they could address a perceived need. However, there were factors discouraging adoption among older adults. Some were related to the assisted person, such as their characteristics (health condition and mobility were examples) and the housing type and design in which they resided [40]. Some were associated with the attributes of the assistive technologies, including reliability, ease of use, whether the technology enables customisation, security and protection, and the consideration of privacy [40; 41; 42; 44]. Contextual factors such as cost, access to, and availability of assistive technologies were also relevant and mentioned in all studies. One study mentioned high installation costs, the inadequacy of contractors to install the technology, and concerns about altering the building's appearance to adapt to the technologies as contextual factors that hinder acceptance of the technologies [41]. Also, receptibility to technologies varied according to age, sensor types, and technology-use time. Younger age groups appeared to be more accepting than older ones. They also considered themselves more likely to use environmental sensors in the future [44]. The same study showed that motion and door sensors were relatively more acceptable, whereas pressure sensors were the least acceptable. One study showed increased acceptance over time after trying out the intervention, which involved a system of sensors installed in residential homes [41]. In summary, the emergence of felt needs is critical for accepting remote monitoring technologies. Other factors related to the assisted person's characteristics, the technology's design, and contextual barriers should be considered to make the technology more accessible. In the selected studies, usefulness, like acceptability, was interpreted from responses instead of being solicited directly through a question. One study reported assistive technologies were constructive in providing reassurance, aiding early diagnosis, and identifying sedentary behaviour [44]. Another report reported that a remote sensor monitoring the eating habits of the assisted person for the benefit of the career would be informative as the carer resided separately from the assisted person [43]. The same study also identified one carer who reported remote monitoring as helpful because the technology provided information on the movement of the assisted person even though the carer was in a different room. Although these comments were not explicitly related to tangible benefits, such as the safety or well-being of the assisted person, they enhanced carers' understanding of the assisted person. Only three of the five studies commented on the extent of safety and security felt by using monitoring technologies, and the results were positive [40; 41; 42]. One emphasised that the technologies would be particularly relevant to those with physical health issues. Only one of the three studies elaborated that enabling older adults to perform tasks more independently, easily, and safely contributed to an increased sense of security [41]. Although two of the five studies did not mention specific safety and security comments, participants in one study remarked that safety was an attribute for deciding to accept monitoring technologies [43]. Nonetheless, improving safety might come at a cost. Older adults were paradoxical about improved safety in one study. Although recognising that assistive technologies could make them more independent and that decreasing interactions with carers offered more opportunity to interact socially, these were not preferred outcomes [43]. The selected study reveals that positioning assistive technologies as augmenting rather than replacing carers is critical to their acceptance.