Focusing on the safety functionality, Melander studied the experiences of elderly people in testing a mobile safety alarm and their reasoning about safety, privacy and mobility.。 She found that safety and mobility were considered more important than privacy.。 Informants focused on feeling safe and secure, and they feared falling and not being noticed and not being able to take care of themselves.。 Safety and security were connected to the usability of the technology.。 The concept of mobility or freedom of movement seemed to involve both self-determination and empowerment (Melander et al.。, 2007).。
In the same line, Conci summarizes in her experimental thesis that, in accordance with results reported in the literature, feeling safe is a crucial issue for older people.。 Although safety concerns do not directly affect their intention to use a mobile phone, they increase its utilitarian value.。 Conci (2007) demonstrates the importance of utilitarian considerations and extrinsic motivations (usefulness).。 Intrinsic motivations, such as enjoyment and self-actualization, influence the intention to use only through the mediation of usefulness—that is, by affecting the utilitarian value of the mobile phone.。 It has been argued that perceived ease of use is important because, despite its frequent usage, the mobile phone remains an alien technology.。 This is also reflected in the need for support while using it.。 In conclusion, older people perceive the mobile phone as a useful device for communication and safety.。 For all these reasons, the reported use is high.。 However, the ease of use is still an issue, and the subjects are aware of needing special support (Conci, 2007).。
The results of the study of Kurniawan (2007) clearly reveal that for older persons, mobile phones are perceived as memory aids to mediate aging-related memory decline and as tools that provide a sense of safety and security.。 Armstrong et al.。 (2010) focus on older persons with Alzheimer’s disease, and they conclude that the key unmet needs still remain (1) to help patients remember, (2) to maintain social contact, (3)to help perform daily life activities, and (4) to enhance their feelings of safety.。 These needs can also be found in other older people.。 Table 1 presents a comparison between these needs and the components of quality of life defined by older people.。 In their research, Armstrong et al.。 (2010) propose to develop and test the following mobile phone applications: a 1-h reminder system, a geofencing application, reminder messages, and medication reminders.。 Considering a more general target group, Mikkonen et al.。 (2002) tried to identify the service needs of elderly people using different mobile communication service concepts:
(a) Mobile Wrist Care (mobile phone functions as the base station of a security bracelet that automatically sends an alarm).。
(b) Traveling by bus (a mobile informs the user when the right bus arrives at the bus stop).。
(c) Service center (when a user contacts the service center, a positioning service is activated that shows the service center where the person is located).。
(d) Reminder (broader service, for example, information about medication and reminders to take medication).。
Based on the results, the needs could be prioritized as follows.。 Mobile WristCare was the most popular and the most necessary of all of the services presented, and Traveling by bus was the least important service concept.。 Reminder and Service care were evaluated evenly.。 The authors concluded that the Mobile Wrist Care must also have equipment capable of relaying position information.。 Based on the study, it appears that elderly people are willing to pay for the use of the service concepts presented (Mikkonen et al.。, 2002).。