ACCESS TO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS FOR OLDER PEOPLE RESEARCH PROJECT

Transcription

1 ACCESS TO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS FOR OLDER PEOPLE RESEARCH PROJECT A joint project by the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, The University of South Australia, School of Social Work, The Flinders University of South Australia & Division of Research & Innovation Novita Children s Services Limited Research Team Professor Andrew Downing, University of South Australia Associate Professor Carol Irizarry, Flinders University of South Australia Mr Rob Garrett, Novita Children s Services Mr Toan Nguyen, University of South Australia & Novita This survey has been approved by the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee (EC )

2 Access to Mobile Communications for Older People Survey Questionnaire Thank you for agreeing to take part in this research by completing this survey and providing your feedback. Mobile communication technologies, particularly mobile phone technology, have become well-established in today s society and are increasingly becoming a part of our culture and way of life. Not only do they provide ready access to a wide range of communication modes, but they also offer other benefits such as auditory and verbal reminders, GPS navigation and tracking, monitoring and managing health, and providing access to useful information, services and entertainment. These and other yet-to-be developed capabilities can be important to the safety, security and independence of older people living independently in the community and in turn can increase their quality of life and sense of well being. The purpose of this survey is to gather information from older people about their opinions and experiences with mobile products, devices or services to assist in daily communication, security and independence. The information gathered from you and other survey respondents will provide a better understanding of the fundamental issues of communication, safety and independence and enduring solutions for the ageing communities, especially those who have functional impairments. This survey consists of four sections and should take about 30 minutes to complete. Section A asks about specific products, devices or services you currently might have or use and the motivation for using them. It asks how you go about purchasing and learning to use new mobile products, devices or services. Section B asks about: what you can do with your technology; how easy or difficult it is for you to use it; what you like and dislike about the features/design of your technology; and any difficulties or barriers that you might experience with your current technology. Section C asks about advanced and future technology, applications, services and the potential uses of them. Section D asks for information about you, your health, physical condition and activities, and any conditions that may affect your current daily activities. Please complete all relevant parts of the survey and answer all questions. For verification purposes you will be asked to provide your name and contact details. This information will be kept strictly confidential and will be separated from the survey responses so that you will not be identifiable in any resulting reports or publications. If you have any questions or problems in completing the survey you may call (08) (weekdays, 9am-5pm) to speak to a researcher who will assist you. Alternatively, you can toan.nguyen@novita.org.au for further assistance. For more information or update about this research please visit Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 1 of 12

3 Section A: Information about the mobile communication technologies you use The following questions will ask the mobile products, devices or services that you use and your motivation for using them. We are also interested in how you obtain and learn to use the technology. Even if you don t have or don t use mobile communication technologies, we are still interested in your opinions. A1. Do you currently own any of the following mobile communication devices? (tick all that apply) Mobile phone Smart phone (a mobile phone with computer-like capabilities for running various software applications and programs once installed onto it) Handheld communication device/technology Other, please specify None (go to question A3) A2. Please specify the make and model of your device(s) (eg Nokia 5800 Express): A3. If you answered None to question A1, would you be interested in using any mobile communication technologies? Yes (go to question A4) No If No, please explain why? (tick all that apply) Mobile devices are too complicated to use It costs too much, I can t afford it Don t know where to buy one that meets my needs Don t know where to buy one that matches my capability Have no interest in using them Have no need to use them Other, please specify A4. What is, or would be, your motivation for using a mobile communication device? (tick all that apply) To contact friends & family members To be reachable by friends & family members For emergencies or security purposes Sense of safety Work Education Recreation Access to information services available (e.g., news, weather, sports or Internet) Other, please specify Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 2 of 12

4 A5. If you were to buy a new mobile communication device or if you (recently) bought one, how would or how did you go about it? (tick all that apply) Research and choose a mobile device myself Seek the assistance of a health professional Seek assistance from a sales person Seek the assistance of a partner or friend Ask my children for help Ask my grandchildren for help Rely on the advice of a sales person Other, please specify A6. If you were to learn to use a new mobile communication device how would you prefer to learn it? (tick all that apply) Receive face-to-face training Follow the user guide Follow an instructional DVD Visit a website that teaches you how Get my partner or a friend to teach me Get my grandchildren to teach me Get my children to teach me Learn by experimenting with the device Other, please specify A7. Research has shown that older people lack the awareness or knowledge of usable and/or accessible current mobile communication technologies that meet their needs and capabilities. How do you prefer to receive this type of information for new mobile communication technology and options? (tick all that apply) From a dedicated website that provides accessible information and guidance From an advisory hotline that I can ring up to get useful information and advice From a telecommunications provider (such as Telstra, Optus, Vodafone etc) From TV ads From marketing brochures, flyers, pamphlets etc From affiliated organisations, clubs or societies From family and friends Other, please specify Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 3 of 12

5 A8. Are there any factors which you can identify which make it difficult to acquire useful information, or to obtain and learn to use new mobile communication technology? IMPORTANT: If you are NOT an owner or user of mobile communication technology, please go directly to Section C* Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 4 of 12

6 Section B: Information about what you can do with your mobile communication technologies This section asks about: what you can do with your technology the ease of use of the features available in your technology what features/design you like best on your technology, and any other difficulties or barriers you experience with current technology? B1. Generally how would you rate the ease of use of your main mobile device? Easy Some difficulty Great difficulty Can t use it B2. Please rate the ease of using the following features on your main mobile device/technology. (tick one box for each feature that best describes your situation) Features Easy Some difficulty Speed dialling (1-button dialling) Voice activation (voice dialling) Phone book / Contacts Calendar Speaker phone (loudspeaker) Text messaging (SMS) Picture or multimedia messaging (MMS) Digital still camera Digital video camera Digital voice recorder Video calling Message bank or voic Missed call register Internet access Bluetooth connectivity (with other devices such headset or mobile device) GPS navigational system WiFi (wireless connection to other devices or network) FM radio Music/MP3 player Alarm clock function (reminders) Skype Social network services (eg twitter, facebook etc) Other, please specify Difficulty Don t use it or don t have it Don t know what it is? Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 5 of 12

7 B3. Please describe the best features/designs of your mobile communication device/technology. B4. Please describe any difficulties or any barriers/limitations you have with your mobile communication device/technology? B5. Please provide any other comments about access to mobile communication technology in general. Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 6 of 12

8 Section C: Future technology, applications and other potential uses C1. Are you interested in trying out new designs/applications for mobile communication products, devices or services? Yes No C2. Mobile communication technologies have the ability to be used for personal assistance, health monitoring and management. Which of the following functions do you think would or might be important to you? (tick all that apply) Monitor my blood glucose level Monitor my heart rate Monitor my blood pressure Remind me to do certain tasks during the day. Help me navigate around the community Count the number of steps I have taken in a day Summon assistance with single button press (e.g., an alarm/emergency button) Other functions, please specify None of the above C3. Describe any other capabilities that you would like mobile communication technology to have to assist with your independent living? Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 7 of 12

9 Section D: Information about you, your daily activities, health and physical condition This section asks for information about you, your health and physical condition and activities, and any conditions that may affect your current daily activities. Part 1: Information about you Please tick ONLY ONE answer that best describes your situation for the following questions. D1. What is your gender? Male Female D2. How old are you? Under and over D3. What is your marital status? Never married Married/Partnered Separated/Divorced Widowed D4. In what country were you born? Australia Overseas Please specify country: If born overseas was English your first language? Yes No Please specify language: D5. What education level have you achieved? No formal schooling Primary school Some secondary school Completed secondary school (Year 12) Trade qualification or apprenticeship Certificate or Diploma (TAFE or business college) Tertiary Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 8 of 12

10 D6. Which of the following best describes your living situation? Live alone Live with spouse/partner Live with spouse/partner & child/children Live with child/children Live with relative(s) Live with unrelated adult(s) D7. Which of the following best describes the type of accommodation in which you primarily live? Detached/regular house Semi-detached/maisonette/duplex Aged/retirement accommodation Unit/flat/apartment Other, please specify D8. Is your living accommodation? Owned Rented Other, please specify D9. Where is your home located? Metropolitan (city/suburbs) Regional /rural community What is your postcode? D10. Which of the following best describes your current occupation status? Home duties Retired Part-time work Full-time work Voluntary work Looking for work Other, please specify D11. If you were/are employed, what was/is your main occupation? Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 9 of 12

11 D12. What is your major source of income? Pension Part pension/part income/superannuation Income from investment/superannuation Wages or salary D13. Do you drive? Yes No D14. What sort of transport have you mainly used in the last year? Car (driver) Car (passenger) Taxi Public transport Other, please specify None D15. How would you describe your overall health? Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor D16. How would you rate your health compared to most people of your age? Better About the same Worse Don t know D17. Do you use any of the following aids? (tick all that apply) Cane, crutches or a walker Hearing aid Glasses Wheelchair: Powered Manual Electric scooter or similar aid Other, please specify None Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 10 of 12

12 PART 2: Information about your daily activities Please indicate the ease with which you can perform the following activities ON YOUR OWN by marking a ( ) in the appropriate box. Daily activities Can do with no difficulty ON MY OWN Can do with difficulty Can not do at all Can ONLY do with assistance from others Reading a newspaper or book? Hearing a normal conversation with another person? Speaking so others can understand you? Lifting or carrying a shopping bag? Using your hands and fingers to do things (e.g. pick up & hold a pen)? Using an ordinary home phone? Moving around inside your home? Walk for about one mile or 1.5 km? Finding your way around your community? Doing light housework, such as washing dishes or sweeping the floor? Other, specify PART 3: Information about your health and physical condition(s) Do you have any condition(s) that causes you difficulty to perform everyday activities? (tick all that apply) Heart condition Hypertension/high blood pressure Back problems, chronic pain Arthritis Low mobility Low vision Blind Hard of hearing Deaf Other (please list below): I do not have a condition that causes me difficulty to perform everyday activities. Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 11 of 12

13 Verification of participant For verification purposes, please provide the following details: Name:... Phone:... Mobile: Your name and contact details will be kept strictly confidential and will be separated from the survey responses so that you will not be individually identifiable in any resulting reports or publications. Further participation in the research If you are interested in the possibility of participating further in this study and being interviewed in person or take part in a focus group discussion at a later stage of the study, please indicate below. You would be contacted and provided with more details about the further study and to arrange for an interview or a meeting time at your convenience. I would be willing to be contacted regarding possible future interview and/or focus group discussion for this study. Yes No Thank you for your help and interest in this study. We appreciate your time in completing the questionnaire. Please return completed survey to: Att: Toan Nguyen Novita Children s Services Inc Reply Paid 2438 REGENCY PARK SA 5942 Access to Mobile Communications for Older People A joint research project! Page 12 of 12