Browsing by Author "Cole, D. Austin"

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    Factors predicting older Adults’ attitudes toward and intentions to use stair mobility assistive designs at home
    Tural, Elif; Lu, Danni; Cole, D. Austin (Elsevier, 2020-03-16)
    Home modifications that increase stair accessibility of existing housing stock are significant for older adults who want to age in place. This sequential mixed-methods study investigated older adults’ attitudes toward and intentions to use currently available stair mobility assistive design features, and explored which factors influence these attitudes and intentions to use. The data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of community dwelling 50 + adults from Southwest Virginia (n = 89) and a focus group (n = 15) in 2018. The survey questionnaire was based on a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model, and focused on three stair mobility assistive design products representative of varying costs, and a range of mobility challenges: half-steps, StairSteady handrail, and stairlift. Ordinal regression analyses indicated that perceived usefulness consistently predicts older adults’ attitudes and intentions to use the three examined stair mobility products. The other factors associated with attitudes and willingness to use the products are dependent on some degree to the examined mobility device. Older age and presence of others in the household negatively influenced attitudes toward stair mobility products. Product aesthetics/unobtrusiveness, fear of falling, and person-environment fit are the three themes emerged from the focus group data analysis as the factors that most influence community dwelling older adults’ attitudes and intention to use stair-mobility assistive features. The findings have implications for design professionals, as they underscore the need for avoiding an institutional look in residential designs, specifying products with high customizability for user needs and preferences, and involvement of users in the decision-making processes.
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    Historic Assessment and Analysis of the Mass Production of Laricobius spp. (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), Biological Control Agents for the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, at Virginia Tech
    Foley, Jeremiah R.; Jubb, Carrie S.; Cole, D. Austin; Mausel, David; Galloway, Ashley Lamb; Brooks, Rachel; Salom, Scott M. (2021-02-09)
    Laricobius nigrinus (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) Fender and Laricobius osakensis (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) Montgomery and Shiyake have been mass produced by Virginia Tech as biological control agents for the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) Annand, for the past 15 and 9 yr, respectively. Herein, we describe modifications of our rearing procedures, trends and analyses in the overall production of these agents, and the redistribution of these agents for release to local and federal land managers. Based on these data, we have highlighted three major challenges to the rearing program: 1) high mortality during the subterranean portion of its life cycle (averaging 63% annually) reducing beetle production, 2) asynchrony in estivation emergence relative to the availability of their host HWA minimizing food availability, and 3) unintended field collections of Laricobius spp. larvae on HWA provided to lab-reared larvae complicating rearing procedures. We further highlight corresponding avenues of research aimed at addressing each of these challenges to further improve Laricobius spp. production.
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    Safely and Actively Aging in Place: Older Adults’ Attitudes and Intentions Toward Smart Home Technologies
    Tural, Elif; Lu, Danni; Cole, D. Austin (SAGE, 2021-01-01)
    As smart technology use is growing in residential environments, research on how such technologies can provide opportunities for safely and actively aging in place by integrating physical activity into daily routines and reducing sedentariness is scarce. This study investigated older adults’ intentions to use and attitudes toward currently available smart home technologies that could contribute to safe and active lives in and around home. The focus was on four representative technologies: smart lighting, smart door locks, smart fire prevention devices, and smart home systems/home automation. This paper presents the results of a sequential mixed-methods study comprised of online and in-person surveys (n = 129), and a focus group of community-dwelling older adults, aged 50+ (n = 15). Ordinal regression analyses indicated that perceived usefulness consistently predicts older adults’ attitudes and willingness to use smart home products. While smart fire prevention devices were viewed most favorably due to their potential safety benefits, perceived affordability significantly influenced older adults’ intentions to use them in their homes. The focus group findings underscore technology skepticism, privacy concerns and return on investment as significant determinants of attitudes toward the smart design products. The study has implications of designers and manufacturers by providing insights on how to prioritize smart home technology integrations to homes.