– Older adults and staff were often given devices without being involved in the decision. We also saw that technologies that staff saw as helpful, for example digital locks or automated toilets, sometimes made older adults feel less independent or in control. And strict schedules linked to technology use often limited both staff flexibility and older adults’ sense of agency, says Samantha Svärd.
These are conclusions in a first article by Svärdh et al. and explores how older adults and their home care staff experience and influence the use of welfare technology. Researchers interviewed 26 older adults and 26 staff members across five municipalities in Sweden. The analysis revealed a clear theme – users often feel they have little agency in relation to the technology they receive.
Users needed throughout the process
Welfare technology, like digital safety alarms or digital locks, is meant to help older adults live safely and independently at home. It’s often promoted as a solution to staff shortages and rising care needs.
– But our study from November 2024 suggests that they are not, if users aren’t part of the decision-making, design and implementation processes.
Now it is followed up by a second article, published in PLOS Digital Health. Svärdh et al. further explores how older adults and their homecare staff perceive digital welfare technologies in daily life. After in-depth interviews with both groups, the researchers identified four major themes;
1. Ease of use – Some welfare technologies were simple and helpful, while others confused or frustrated users.
2. Usefulness – GPS alarms were praised for supporting user independence, but devices like safety alarms were sometimes misused or ignored, reducing their usefulness.
3. Design and placement issues – Sounds, size, and appearance of some welfare technologies sometimes made them feel intrusive or impractical.
4. Technical problems – Devices required more maintenance than expected and were often vulnerable to failure.
– None of the technologies except the medication robot clearly helped ease staff shortages as hoped, says Samantha Svärdh.
"None of the technologies except the medication robot clearly helped ease staff shortages as hoped"
The researchers conclude that to make welfare technology work better for everyone, older adults and staff must be more involved in the design and decision-making process. They also suggest clearer guidelines for who should receive certain technologies, especially when cognitive limitations might affect usability.
Read the publications:
1. Svärdh, S. A., Lorenzini, G. C., Siverskog, A., Schmidt, S. M., Iwarsson, S., & Fristedt, S. (2024). Detangling experiences of agency in welfare technology use by home care recipients and their staff. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1–13.
2. Svärdh SA, Lorenzini GC, Samuelsson U, Schmidt SM, Iwarsson S, Fristedt S. "It is very convenient when it works – successes and challenges with welfare technology." PLOS Digital Health. 2025 Apr 24;4(4):e0000844.