High-Tech Amenities for the Elderly: The Technological Assistance Needs of Elderly Koreans Aging at Home

This study builds on existing literature regarding residential technological systems and the elderly. This study investigates elderly Koreans’ needs for technological systems in their residential environments and makes appropriate suggestions for creating high-tech amenities to support their aging at home. This study surveyed 60 elderly Koreans and presented them with 5 categories of 24 technological systems to evaluate. Results of this study show that participants were willing to adapt technological systems in their residential environment without any technophobia. In terms of their needs, the participants ranked the safety and security system category first, the indoor environment control system category second, and the health-related system category third. The results of this study suggest that residential environments, including individual housing and apartment properties, should incorporate technological systems to extend elderly residents’ independent living at home.