New thesis on the use of technology in everyday life when getting older
Hi Charlotta Ryd, PhD student at the Division of Occupational Therapy. You are about to defend your thesis on 30 November, what is the main focus of your research?
My thesis is about how the use of everyday technology relates to daily life occupations and need of support among older adults with or without cognitive impairments. Within the thesis, the concept of everyday technology refers to the technological objects and systems a person normally encounters in daily life, such as coffee machines, smartphones or ticket vending machines.
Which are the most important results?
One of the most important findings is that relations between the use of everyday technology and daily life occupations, that has not previously been sufficiently explored, now have been confirmed. We have also achieved in-depth knowledge of the relationships between technology use and daily life occupations. We have for example explored possible driving forces as well as hinders when incorporating new technologies into daily life. My research have also shown that measures of technology use can predict the needed support in daily life, and that utilization of support from others often is decisive for older adults technology use.
How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people’s health?
By establishing better prerequisites for older adults with and without cognitive impairment, so that they can stay active and engaged in their daily lives in our increasingly technology dependent society.
What´s in the future for you? Will you keep on conducting research?
I will stay at KI and teach at the occupational therapy programme. I will also be engaged in a research project at KI concerning people with dementia.
Thesis
Contact
Charlotta Ryd
| Organizational unit: | Division of Occupational Therapy |
| E-mail: | charlotta.ryd@ki.se |