In the special session attention is given to use of eHealth technology when long term care is needed. This could be care either provided from homecare organizations or by nursing homes or in small scale living facilities. With the knowledge and experience gained in the several presented projects we want to contribute to decrease engineering illiteracy. This by sharing the results and experience of several projects about predictors, acceptance and use of e-health technology by older adults and professionals. The focus of the special session is to gain insight in the predictors for the use of e-Health technology by older adults and by care professionals; know what older adults and professionals do find acceptable in the use of e-health technology and finally look at user preferences for e-health applications. In addition, conditions for implementing use of eHealth technology are described for small scale home settings with an emphasis on how professionals do experience the use of eHealth technology in their daily practice.We also address designers of eHealth technology. An extension of theunified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) is proposed in order to give designers tools so they can develop eHealth applications in adjustment to the need of both older adults and professionals. Also key factors based on the Comprehensive Assistive Technology model (CAT) are proposed for design of eHealth applications for people with dementia or for people with cognitive impairments. From earlier studies is know that use of eHealth technology on a large scale might by facilitated trough instruction, education and training of both older adults as well as professionals. Results presented in this session can be used for this purpose.
With the special session we want to contribute to the development of a long term program for practice oriented research on eHealth technology for older adults and care professionals in order to achieve that older adults are not socially excluded from the use of eHealth technology by deficient knowledge and skills and that care professionals are better equipped to use eHealth technology in their daily practice.