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Explaining Older Adults’ Continuance Intention Toward Smart Homes: Integrating the Expectation–Confirmation Model of Information Systems and the Technology Acceptance Model

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: China is experiencing rapid population aging and is actively promoting smart home–based eldercare. Smart homes offer a promising means of supporting older adults in aging in place. However, low adoption and limited sustained use constrain their potential benefits, thereby exacerbating social, economic, and healthcare burdens. This study examined factors influencing older adults’ continuance intention to use smart homes in Shandong Province, China, by integrating the Expectation–Confirmation Model of Information Systems and the Technology Acceptance Model and incorporating China-specific contextual antecedents, including government policy, intergenerational technical support, compatibility, and cost. Data were collected using an online questionnaire survey of older adults aged 60 years and older with prior smart home experience (n = 421) and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, satisfaction, and cost directly affected continuance intention, whereas government policy, compatibility, and intergenerational technical support influenced continuance intention through perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and confirmation. Based on these results, this study proposes a conceptual framework for understanding older adults’ continuance intention toward smart homes. The findings provide implications for inclusive policy, user-centered design, and family-supported digital aging in rapidly aging societies.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings16061133

Authors: Yuan Wang, Norazmawati Md. Sani, Honglei Lu, Yinhong Hua, Jing Jin

Institutions: Universiti Sains Malaysia, Anhui University, Qufu Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Technology Use by Older Adults

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: Universiti Sains Malaysia