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. 2025 Dec 13;10(2):igaf139. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaf139

Bridging the digital divide in smart older adult care: how digital literacy shapes adoption through task–technology fit and aging attitudes

Zijun Mao 1,2, Rongxiao Yan 3,4, Hongjiao Liu 5,6,✉
Editor: W Quin Yow
PMCID: PMC12893777  PMID: 41684812

Abstract

Background and Objectives

In the digital era, smart care products (SCPs) for older adults have opened up a new potential for satisfying the tailored demands of older adults and encouraging positive aging. However, the digital divide among older adults has emerged as a critical barrier to the widespread adoption and promotion of such products. The existing literature has yet to clarify whether and how the digital literacy (DL) of older adults influences their SCP adoption intention. To address this gap, this study investigates the relationship between DL and SCP adoption intention.

Research Design and Methods

This study analyzes questionnaire data collected offline from 627 Chinese older adults, constructing a research model grounded in task–technology fit (TTF) theory and employing structural equation modeling for empirical validation.

Results

Findings show that older adults’ intention to use SCPs is positively influenced by their DL level. Perceived TTF (PTTF) mediates the relationship between DL and adoption intention. Furthermore, positive aging attitudes (PAA) moderate the relationship between PTTF and adoption intention. In addition, the indirect positive effect of DL on adoption intention via PTTF is amplified when older individuals exhibit elevated PAA.

Discussion and Implications

This study confirms the crucial role of DL in influencing the adoption of SCPs by older adults. It enhances theoretical comprehension of the effect of DL on technology adoption, broadens the potential use of TTF theory within the domain of smart older adult care, and provides practical recommendations for the advancement of SCPs.

Keywords: Smart care products for older adults, Adoption intention, Positive aging attitudes, Digital inclusion

Innovation and Translational Significance:

This study addresses the low adoption of smart care products (SCPs) for older adults. By integrating digital literacy (DL), perceived task–technology fit (PTTF), and positive aging attitudes (PAA) into a unified framework, we provide new insights into how older adults’ capabilities and mindsets jointly shape technology adoption. Our empirical analysis identifies DL’s dual influence on SCP adoption intention—operating both directly and indirectly through PTTF—with PAA moderating this relationship. The findings highlight the need for older-adult-focused digital training, better-fitting product designs, and positive aging narratives to bridge the digital divide and enhance late-life well-being through technology.

Contemporary society is undergoing demographic aging and a digital revolution. According to recent United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024), the global population of older adults aged 65 and above is expected to increase from 6.8% in 2000 to 14.3% by 2040, marking the transition into a more aged society. By the latter half of the 21st century, this proportion may rise to 21%, indicating the onset of a severely aged society. China, which has the largest number of older adults worldwide, exhibits a particularly pronounced issue of population aging. By the end of 2024, China was home to 310.31 million older adults aged 60 and above, representing 22.0% of the national population, with 220.23 million older adults aged 65 and above, accounting for 15.6% of the total (Ministry of Civil Affairs, 2025). After 2030, the share of older adults aged 65 and older is projected to surpass 20%, signaling China’s entry into a super-aged society (China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service & Institute of Contemporary Social Service, 2024). This tendency not only places more pressure on the social pension system but also supports the growing desire of older adults for a healthy and independent existence, resulting in an increasingly visible problem of inadequate pension facilities and services. Digital technologies have opened new possibilities for addressing the challenges of aging (Deutsch et al., 2019), where smart care products (SCPs) for older adults have proven to positively enhance the well-being of older adults. It has been found that employing digital technologies in older-adult care services not only reduces social care expenditures but also drastically improves the life and mental health of older adults, enabling them to lead an active, comfortable, safe, independent, and healthy life (Golant, 2017). Despite these advantages, the current adoption rate of SCPs remains lower than anticipated (Zhang et al., 2020). Consequently, examining the principal factors that affect the adoption intention of SCPs among older adults is critical to facilitating their broader acceptance.

Previous research has confirmed that individual ability is an important factor that influences the adoption of technology products by older adults (Dino et al., 2025) and that digital literacy (DL) has become a basic prerequisite for individuals to effectively participate in digital life in a digital society. Enhanced DL can help older individuals bridge the digital divide by providing them with the core skills necessary to adopt SCPs, boosting their acceptability and willingness to use these products. Furthermore, a product’s task fit is an important component in determining the readiness to adopt of older people (Ghorayeb et al., 2021). If SCPs can accurately meet the needs of older adults in daily health monitoring, emergency help, and social entertainment, and optimize their interactive experience through digital technology, then the perceived value of these products will be significantly increased, and the intention of older adults to adopt them will be strengthened. Although the significance of DL is increasingly recognized, previous studies have predominantly emphasized the role of technological and environmental characteristics (Pal et al., 2019) in shaping adoption intention, with relatively limited attention given to individual characteristics. There remains a lack of in-depth investigation into how these personal characteristics, particularly DL, influence the adoption of SCPs. To address this gap, the current study employs task–technology fit (TTF) theory to investigate how older adults’ DL enhances adoption intention via improved perceptions of task–technology alignment.

In addition, aging attitudes, which are cognitive and emotional responses of older adults to their aging, may influence the process of technological adoption among older adults (Chen & Chan, 2011). These attitudinal dispositions reflect the psychological orientation of older adults toward aging. Divergent aging attitudes may engender differential perceptions of task–technology alignment in SCPs, consequently moderating the link between perceived TTF (PTTF) and adoption intention. However, the extant literature has predominantly examined the antecedents and outcomes of aging attitudes (Bryant et al., 2016) while largely disregarding their moderating effects in technology adoption contexts (Mock & Eibach, 2011; Sun et al., 2022). This oversight underscores the necessity to systematically investigate how positive aging attitudes (PAA) moderate SCP adoption mechanisms.

The current research will focus on the following questions to address these research gaps:

  1. Does older adults’ DL exert a substantial effect on SCP adoption intention?

  2. Does PTTF facilitate the correlation between DL and adoption intention?

  3. Do PAA exert a beneficial moderating influence on the implications listed above?

To answer these questions, the current study applies TTF theory and conducts empirical analysis on survey data obtained from 627 older individuals in China. The results suggest that DL not only directly enhances the SCP adoption intention of older adults but also indirectly strengthens such intention by improving PTTF. Furthermore, PAA both reinforces the favorable effect of PTTF on adoption intention and amplifies the indirect positive effect of DL on adoption intention through PTTF. The contributions of this study are threefold. First, although prior studies have recognized the potential effect of digital skills on the adoption of older adult care technology (Elavsky et al., 2024), our findings elucidate the underlying mechanism through which DL operates by task-technology alignment perceptions, addressing critical gaps in mediating process research. Second, diverging from prior theoretical approaches that employ the technology acceptance model (TAM) (Kim et al., 2023), theory of planned behavior (TPB) (Li et al., 2024), and trust theory (Akter et al., 2013), this investigation pioneers the application of TTF theory in deciphering older adults’ adoption mechanisms for smart older adult care technologies. Finally, this research demonstrates that PAA play a moderating function, providing theoretical guidelines for promoting positive aging.

The study is structured as follows. The Introduction delineates the research background and objectives. The Literature review critically reviews the relevant prior studies and theoretical frameworks. The Hypotheses and model section presents the derivation of the hypotheses and the construction of the theoretical model. The Research methodology details the methodological protocols. The Data analysis section delineates the empirical findings. The Discussion and implications section addresses the theoretical implications, practical applications, study limitations, and prospective research directions. Finally, the Conclusion summarizes the research content.

Literature review

Digital literacy of older adults

Older adults’ DL refers to their understanding, attitudes, and abilities to effectively use digital tools to locate, access, manage, analyze, evaluate, and create digital resources within digital contexts (Martin, 2006). Ng (2012) further expanded this framework by categorizing DL into three dimensions: technical, cognitive, and socioemotional. Due to the higher cognitive and resource-related barriers older adults face in mastering digital technologies, they are more susceptible to experiencing the digital divide (Frydman et al., 2022). Compared to younger populations, older adults’ DL exhibits the following distinct characteristics. (1) On the technical dimension, influenced by the natural decline in physiological functions associated with aging, older adults are often limited to basic operations and struggle with complex interactive interfaces (Oh & Bae, 2024). (2) On the cognitive dimension, declines in information processing capabilities lead to higher cognitive load and learning barriers. As a result, their digital usage is primarily driven by practical needs such as health management, information access, and social connection, reflecting a clear instrumental orientation (Tsai et al., 2017). (3) On the socioemotional dimension, older adults generally hold more conservative attitudes toward digital technology and exhibit stronger risk aversion (Li et al., 2024).

Enhancing older adults’ DL is critical for bridging the digital divide and strengthening their capacity to thrive in a digital society (Chen et al., 2024). Research indicates that DL positively influences older adults’ cognitive function, self-efficacy, quality of life, life satisfaction, health behaviors, and personal performance (Mohammadyari & Singh, 2015; Oh & Bae, 2024). Despite the growing recognition of the critical role played by older adults’ DL in digital technology adoption, existing research has mainly focused on areas such as smartphone use, smartphone addiction, internet use, telehealth, and digital information use (van Houwelingen, 2018; Tirado-Morueta et al., 2021). A notable deficiency exists in comprehending its influence on the intention of older individuals to use SCPs, highlighting the need for additional research into its function in this particular context.

SCP adoption intention

SCPs leverage digital technologies to connect external resources and provide older adult users with various services, such as health monitoring, reminders, information retrieval, and social engagement, enhancing their quality of life, independent living capabilities, and overall well-being (Silva et al., 2012). These products encompass a range of categories, including smart home devices, intelligent robots, wearable devices, and electronic health records (Huang et al., 2022). Traditional older-adult care services frequently fail to fulfill the increasingly diverse and evolving requirements of older individuals, while SCPs offer greater accessibility, personalization, and service integration, enabling older adult users to efficiently and conveniently access comprehensive, multilevel, and round-the-clock high-quality services. Current research groups the service capabilities of SCPs into three major categories. The first category revolves around smart home security. These systems monitor the daily movements of older adults by using indoor/outdoor tracking technology, instantly detecting anomalies, such as falls or wandering, and triggering emergency alerts (Li et al., 2021). The second domain focuses on personalized health management, wherein wearable devices and smart aids continuously track vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate (Kekade et al., 2018). The third dimension addresses emotional support, which primarily provides older adult users with emotional support and social interactions through home service robots (Deutsch et al., 2019).

Considering the substantial importance of SCPs in improving the standard of living of older adults, pertinent research has investigated the precursors of adoption intention for these products, focusing on three facets. (1) The first facet involves individual characteristics, such as financial status and health condition (Yang et al., 2023). (2) The second facet involves technological factors, which can be separated into two dimensions. On one side, older adults’ concerns about technology may act as a hindrance to its usage. These concerns comprise cost-related issues, privacy, technological convenience, and technological anxiety (Chen & Chan, 2011; Frishammar et al., 2023). On the other side, older adults’ degree of demand for technology and their anticipated value can facilitate usage, such as product utility and personalization (Ghorayeb et al., 2021). (3) The third facet involves environmental factors, such as intergenerational relationships (Zhou et al., 2024), social influence (Giger et al., 2015), and government policy support (Zhang et al., 2020). Although these studies offer valuable insights, current research predominantly relies on traditional technology adoption models, overlooking the role of DL in the decision-making processes of older adult users. To close this gap, the current study includes an examination of DL as a key factor that influences the adoption of SCPs by older users.

Perceived task–technology fit

In accordance with TTF theory, the successful adoption of technology is determined by how well it matches the needs of the user’s task (Goodhue & Thompson, 1995; Wu & Chen, 2017). PTTF refers to the extent to which a technology facilitates individual task execution, encompassing the alignment between technology and task attributes, and thus, influencing a technology’s optimal performance in the task (Aljukhadar et al., 2014). PTTF is primarily influenced by three factors: (1) task characteristics, which encompass task complexity, nature, and performer requirements (Goodhue & Thompson, 1995); (2) technological characteristics, which include product functionality, usability, and performance (Aljukhadar et al., 2014); and (3) individual characteristics, such as user competence, computer experience, self-efficacy, and technical skills (Lee et al., 2007; Marcolin et al., 2000). As the disparity among the three dimensions diminishes, the PTTF of a user is enhanced. PTTF is intricately linked to user adoption of products. Users will adopt a technology only if they deem it suitable for their tasks and believe that it enhances actual performance; conversely, a misalignment between technology and task characteristics may lead to user reluctance in utilizing a technology (Muchenje & Seppänen, 2023).

Current research has employed a range of theoretical frameworks to investigate SCP adoption intention, such as TAM, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, and the capability approach model (Frishammar et al., 2023; Giger et al., 2015). In comparison to these theoretical frameworks, TTF focuses on the matching of user demands and technological features and provides a more nuanced explanation of human–technology interactions; therefore, it has been widely employed in research on adoption of digital technologies (Aljukhadar et al., 2014), including in e-commerce (Lee et al., 2007), mobile banking (Oliveira et al., 2014), and online education (Wu & Chen, 2017). The validity and operationalization of TTF theory have been successfully validated in research on information system user behavior. However, only a few studies have investigated the effect of TTF theory on SCP adoption intention among older users by integrating PTTF and SCP adoption intention. Given the relevance of TTF theory, older users will assess the alignment between features of SCPs and their actual needs. DL may influence older users’ assessment of the expected benefits of SCPs, improving their PTTF. Therefore, the current study adds DL to the TTF model and investigates how the DL of older users will affect their plans to use SCPs by examining how well the products fit their views on TTF.

Positive attitudes toward aging

Aging attitudes pertain to an individual’s cognitive appraisals and evaluative responses to the aging process in himself/herself and others (Mock & Eibach, 2011); they are typically conceptualized through a dichotomous typology of proactive versus reactive orientations. Substantial evidence indicates that PAA enhance later-life quality, maintain self-efficacy, sustain psychological well-being, and promote eudaimonic fulfillment (Tovel et al., 2019). Nonetheless, current research has focused insufficiently on the influence of good aging attitudes on the intention to adopt SCPs. Specific physiological factors (e.g., cognitive and physical decline) and psychological factors (e.g., social isolation and fear of disease) associated with aging are more neglected in the current literature on technology acceptance among older adults (Chen & Chan, 2011). To address this critical gap, our investigation regards PAA as a pivotal moderating variable, systematically examining their influence on the SCP adoption intention of older adult users.

Hypotheses and model

DL and SCP adoption intention

DL, which is defined as an individual’s ability to access, process, and use digital resources, is recognized as critical for meaningful societal engagement in the digital age (Scheerder et al., 2017). In accordance with TAM, perceived ease of use and utility help form customers’ intention to use a certain type of technology (Davis, 1989). DL improves older adults’ understanding of SCPs (Zhou et al., 2024), allowing them to quickly learn and assimilate information from digital media. This condition promotes comprehension and mastery of operating processes, lowering usage obstacles, improving perceptions of product usability, and eventually raising adoption intention. Furthermore, older adults with high levels of DL are able to value the practical advantages brought about by features of SCPs (Oliveira et al., 2014), which endorses product value and anticipated performance leading to higher adoption intention (Moravec et al., 2024). In accordance with social cognition theory, adopting a certain technology is greatly influenced by how confident the user is in using that technology (Berkowsky et al., 2017). With higher digital literacy among older adults comes higher self-efficacy in using SCPs (Torkzadeh & Van Dyke, 2002), which suggests that older adults have more confidence in using such technologies to get the services that they desire, boosting the probability of adoption. Furthermore, older individuals with excellent DL are more familiar with the Internet ecosystem, allowing them to conduct more in-depth assessments of product safety and reliability. Such understanding enhances their ability to withstand cybersecurity threats and alleviates their concerns about potential risks associated with SCP use (e.g., personal information leakage and device malfunctions), increasing product uptake. Hence, we suggest the following hypothesis:

H1: A direct positive relationship exists between older adults’ DL and SCP adoption intention.

Mediating role of PTTF

In accordance with TTF theory, people’s PTTF with digital products is influenced by their personal qualities, such as technological capacity and experience (Goodhue & Thompson, 1995; Lee et al., 2007; Marcolin et al., 2000). Older adult users with higher levels of DL have stronger beliefs about their ability to learn digital skills (Torkzadeh & Van Dyke, 2002) and are more adept at using digital resources effectively, such as retrieving detailed product information via search engines or official websites, including operational guidelines, functional advantages, and compatibility with personal needs (Mohammadyari & Singh, 2015). Consequently, they gain a deeper understanding of the functional characteristics and implications of SCPs, allowing them to assess whether these products meet their specific daily needs, such as health monitoring, emergency calling, or daily assistance (Wu & Chen, 2017). Therefore, such users exhibit stronger PTTF with SCPs.

Meanwhile, TTF theory suggests that users’ perceptions of how well a technology matches their task needs are key factors that influence their intention to adopt a technology (Zhou et al., 2010). Older adults exhibit differentiated evaluations of the fit between SCPs and their personal needs and characteristics (Muchenje & Seppänen, 2023). When older adults perceive a high degree of alignment between these products and their needs, their perceived utility and anticipated benefits of the products significantly increase, strengthening their adoption intention (Yu & Yu, 2010). For example, older adults who prioritize health management may perceive smart blood pressure or glucose monitors as highly aligned with their needs. Conversely, those who value daily assistance may view smart home devices as more fitting. Similarly, older adults who emphasize safety may perceive fall detection devices and emergency call buttons as highly relevant, while those who value social interaction may view smart entertainment devices as particularly suitable. When older adults encounter products that are closely aligned with their needs, they feel that their requirements are acknowledged and fulfilled, enhancing their trust and approval of the products, which, in turn, reinforces their adoption intention. Consequently, we present the subsequent hypothesis:

H2: An indirect positive relationship exists between older adults’ DL and SCP adoption intention through PTTF.

Moderating role of PAA

According to the socioemotional selectivity theory, changes in older adults’ time perception influence their goal selection and emotional regulation. Older adults with PAA tend to prioritize emotional fulfillment and long-term benefits (Carstensen et al., 2011). Meanwhile, regulatory focus theory distinguishes two motivational orientations: a promotion focus, which emphasizes growth, achievement, and ideal self-fulfillment, and a prevention focus, which centers on safety, responsibility, and duty (Higgins, 1998). PAA represent an enabling psychological resource that reflects a promotion focus. Older adults with PAA are more likely to view aging as a natural and meaningful life stage, demonstrating greater psychological resilience and openness toward the future. This enables them to actively engage in life transitions and overcome potential challenges (Sun et al., 2022).

Specifically, older adults with high PAA are more inclined to perceive SCPs as effective tools for maintaining independence, improving quality of life, and enhancing social participation. This perception activates their promotion focus, fostering anticipation and motivation to use the technology. When they recognize high PTTF, their intrinsic motivation aligns with the practical value of SCPs. This facilitates the translation from recognizing “product relevance” to forming “willingness to adopt,” thereby strengthening the positive effect of PTTF on adoption intention. In contrast, older adults with low PAA often adopt a prevention focus, prioritizing risk avoidance and hassle minimization. Even when recognizing high PTTF, they tend to view SCPs as potential burdens or threats, evoking anxiety and resistance. Consequently, despite acknowledging the utility of SCPs, they often hesitate or avoid adoption, resulting in an inefficient translation of PTTF into adoption intention. Therefore, we suggest the following hypothesis:

H3: PAA positively moderates the relationship between PTTF and SCP adoption intention. That is, the higher the level of PAA, the stronger the positive relationship between PTTF and adoption intention.

Following the aforementioned analysis, we offer a moderated mediation model, suggesting that positive attitudes toward aging may also moderate the indirect effect of DL on SCP adoption intention through PTTF. In particular, PTTF serves as the mediating mechanism that links DL to SCP adoption intention, while PAA act as a critical boundary condition that strengthens this positive indirect effect. When PAA are at a higher level, DL is more likely to enhance the effect on SCP adoption intention through the mediating role of PTTF. Conversely, when PAA are at a lower level, the indirect effect of DL on SCP adoption intention through PTTF is relatively smaller. Thus, we suggest the subsequent hypothesis:

H4: The indirect relationship between DL and adoption intention through PTTF is stronger when older adults perceive a high level of PAA.

The research model is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Research model. Note. SCP = smart care product. Alt text: The model diagram shows that digital literacy influences SCP adoption intention directly and indirectly through perceived task-technology fit, whose relationship with adoption intention is moderated by positive attitudes toward aging.

Research methodology

Data collection and sample

This study performed a one-on-one questionnaire survey targeting Chinese older adults aged 60 and above through offline snowball sampling in June 2024. Prior to the formal survey, a pre-survey was conducted among 73 older adults in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, to evaluate whether respondents recruited from the target population could adequately comprehend the questionnaire items. We made adjustments to several items based on feedback from these respondents, considering the real-world scenarios of SCPs. The formal survey questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section presented a brief overview of SCPs and confirmed whether the respondents were older adults aged 60 and above. Those who answered negatively were stopped from completing the questionnaire, while those who answered affirmatively were asked to continue. The second segment examined respondents’ fundamental information, including gender, age, educational attainment, marriage status, urban or rural residence, income level, and health condition. The third section included measurement items. Each respondent received a reward of 20 CNY upon completing the questionnaire. A total of 743 responses were collected, with 116 being excluded due to incomplete answers, high homogeneity in responses, or excessively short completion times. Ultimately, 627 valid samples were obtained, yielding a response rate of 84.39%. Among the respondents, 53.75% were female, and 46.25% were male. Moreover, 61.08% were older adults aged 60–69 years. In addition, 44.02% of the respondents reported a monthly income below 2000 CNY. Table 1 presents the demographic statistics of the respondents.

Table 1.

Demographic profile of the respondents (N = 627).

Category Frequency % Cumulative %
Gender
  Male 290 46.25 46.25
  Female 337 53.75 100.00
Age
  60–64 260 41.47 41.47
  65–69 123 19.62 61.08
  70–74 118 18.82 79.90
  75–79 76 12.12 92.03
  80 and above 50 7.97 100.00
Marital status
  Living without a spouse 116 18.50 18.50
  Living with a spouse 511 81.50 100.00
Residence
  Rural 238 38.96 38.96
  Urban 389 62.04 100.00
Education
  Primary school or less 225 35.89 35.89
  Junior middle school 193 30.78 66.67
  High school 125 19.94 86.60
  Bachelor’s or associate degree 78 12.44 99.04
  Master’s degree or higher 6 0.96 100.00
Monthly salary (CNY)
  0–2,000 276 44.02 44.02
  2,001–4,000 173 27.59 71.61
  4,001–6,000 109 17.38 89.00
  6,001–8,000 40 6.38 95.38
  8,001–10,000 22 3.51 98.88
  10,001 and above 7 1.12 100.00
Self-rated health
  Unhealthy 43 6.86 6.86
  Average 222 35.41 42.26
  Healthy 362 57.74 100.00
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Measures

The research model comprises four variables: DL, PTTF, PAA, and SCP adoption intention. To guarantee the authenticity of the content, all variable items were derived from previously validated and dependable established scales. DL was drawn from the South Korean National Information Society Agency (2021). PTTF was adopted from Zhou et al. (2010). To better align with the current research objectives, PAA were borrowed from the positive aging attitude dimension scale developed by Sun et al. (2022). SCP adoption intention was adopted from Al-Debei and Al-Lozi (2014) and Wang et al. (2021). A comprehensive list of the questionnaire items used in the current study is provided in Supplementary Table 1. Each item was measured using a 5-point Likert scale, with answer options ranging from 1 = “Strongly Disagree” to 5 = “Strongly Agree.” In terms of control variables, following the demographic variables used in existing technology adoption studies, we controlled for the demographic characteristics of older adults, including gender, age, self-rated health, monthly salary, and education (Cui et al., 2025; Yang et al., 2023).

Common method bias

To minimize common method bias as much as possible, we employed the respondent’s information confidentiality method. The questionnaire instructions specifically indicated that the survey was anonymous, the results would be utilized exclusively for academic study, and all personal information would remain confidential. This step was done to encourage participants to answer honestly and without concern. To test for potential common method bias, this study conducted a Harman single-factor test. All items that measured DL, PTTF, PAA, and SCP adoption intention were included in an exploratory factor analysis. The results revealed four factors with eigenvalues greater than 1. The first factor accounted for 33.885% of the variance, which was below the critical threshold of 40%. On this basis, we concluded that this study had no significant common method bias, and thus, subsequent analyses could proceed.

Data analysis

This study employed AMOS 28.0 to conduct confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Descriptive statistics, reliability tests, and average variance extracted (AVE) were conducted using SPSS 26.0, while hypothesis testing was performed using the PROCESS plug-in (Hayes, 2017).

CFA

This study employed AMOS 28.0 software to conduct CFA to assess the reliability and validity of the measurement scales. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory fit indices: χ2/degree of freedom = 2.902, comparative fit index = 0.967, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.959, incremental fit index = 0.967, relative fit index = 0.939, normed fit index = 0.950, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.055. As presented in Table 2, the Cronbach’s α and composite reliability values for each variable exceeded the threshold of 0.70, indicating that the questionnaire exhibited good reliability (Cronbach & Furby, 1970). The majority of the standardized factor loadings surpassed the 0.70 criterion, and the AVE for each variable exceeded 0.50. Therefore, convergent validity was satisfied (Hair et al., 2013). In addition, as presented in Table 2, the square roots of the AVE values for each variable were higher than the inter-construct correlations between that variable and other variables in the model, indicating that the model achieved good discriminant validity (Fornell & Larcker, 1981). This measurement model was subsequently used for hypothesis testing.

Table 2.

Correlations and descriptive statistics.

Construct M SD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1. Gendera 0.537 0.499 -
2. Ageb 1.255 1.320 0.114** -
3. Monthly salaryc 1.011 1.169 −0.271** −0.128** -
4. Self-rated healthd 1.509 0.623 −0.074 −0.104** 0.150** -
5. Educatione 1.128 1.093 −0.167** −0.232** 0.559** 0.144** -
6. DL 2.778 1.250 −0.191** −0.392** 0.367** 0.129** 0.456** 0.734
7. PTTF 3.412 1.273 −0.024 −0.119** 0.027 0.024 0.077 0.179** 0.875
8. PAA 3.973 1.025 0.031 −0.043 0.029 0.186** 0.070 0.140** 0.288** 0.718
9. Adoption intention 3.617 1.272 −0.007 −0.109** 0.083* 0.048 0.125** 0.226** 0.622** 0.174** 0.829
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Note. DL = digital literacy; M = mean; PAA = positive attitudes toward aging; PTTF = perceived task-technology fit; SD = standard deviation. Each value in bold and on the diagonal is the square root of the AVE score in that particular row.

a

Gender: Male = 0, female = 1.

b

Age: 60–64 = 0, 65–69 = 1, 70–74 = 2, 75–79 = 3, 80 and above =4.

c

Monthly salary in CNY: 0–2,000 = 0, 2,001–4,000 = 1, 4,001–6,000 = 2, 6,001–8,000 = 3, 8,001–10,000 = 4, 10,001 and above = 5.

d

Self-rated health: unhealthy = 0, average = 1, healthy = 2.

e

Education: Primary school or less = 0, junior high school = 1, high school = 2, bachelor’s or associate degree = 3, Master’s degree or higher = 4.

*

p < .05;

**

p < .01.

Hypothesis testing

Testing the major and mediating effects

This study employed PROCESS macro (Model 4) in SPSS 26.0 to examine the direct and indirect effects of older adults’ DL on their SCP adoption intention. As indicated in Table 3, the DL of older adults positively influences their SCP adoption intention (β = 0.211, t = 4.153, p < .001) and PTTF (β = 0.168, t = 3.526, p < .001). The evidence suggests that higher levels of DL among older adults are associated with stronger SCP adoption intention and higher PTTF. Furthermore, the results indicate that within the mediation model, older adults’ DL (β = 0.109, t = 2.878, p < .01) and PTTF (β = 0.602, t = 19.038, p < .001) positively and significantly influence SCP adoption intention. A bootstrapping analysis that uses 5,000 bootstrap samples demonstrates that DL indirectly influences older adults’ SCP adoption intention through PTTF, with a significant effect (effect = 0.101, bootstrap 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.044, 0.157]). Therefore, we support H1 and H2. Based on these findings, a conclusion can be drawn that PTTF partially mediates the relationship between DL and older adults’ SCP adoption intention.

Table 3.

Testing the major and mediating effects.

Predictors Model 1 (adoption intention)
 Model 2 (PTTF)
 Model 3 (adoption intention)
β t β t β t
Gendera 0.040 0.990 0.004 0.098 0.038 1.171
Ageb −0.022 −0.526 −0.056 −1.302 0.011 0.333
Monthly Salaryc −0.007 −0.136 −0.050 −1.016 0.024 0.605
Self-rated healthd 0.018 0.456 0.002 0.052 0.017 0.534
Educatione 0.032 0.638 0.016 0.316 0.022 0.561
DL 0.211*** 4.453 0.168*** 3.526 0.109** 2.878
PTTF 0.602*** 19.038
R  2 0.054 0.037 0.403
ΔR  2 0.030 0.019 0.349
ΔF 19.825*** 12.431*** 362.443***
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Note. DL = digital literacy; PTTF = perceived task-technology fit.

a

Gender: Male = 0, female = 1.

b

Age: 60–64 = 0, 65–69 = 1, 70–74 = 2, 75–79 = 3, 80 and above = 4.

c

Monthly salary in CNY: 0–2,000 = 0, 2,001–4,000 = 1, 4,001–6,000 = 2, 6,001–8,000 = 3, 8,001–10,000 = 4, 10,001 and above = 5.

d

Self-rated health: unhealthy = 0, average = 1, healthy = 2.

e

Education: Primary school or less = 0, junior high school = 1, high school = 2, bachelor’s or associate degree = 3, Master’s degree or higher = 4.

*

p < .05;

**

p < .01;

***

p < .001.

Testing the moderating effect

This study employed the PROCESS macro (Model 14) in SPSS 26.0 to examine the moderating role of PAA in the relationship between PTTF and older adults’ SCP adoption intention.

As indicated by PROCESS Model 14, a significant positive interaction effect was found between aging attitudes and PTTF on older adults’ SCP adoption intention (β  =  0.080, bootstrap standard error [Boot] = 0.029, t = 2.738, p < .01, bootstrap 95% CI = [0.023, 0.138]). As illustrated in Figure 2, the simple slope test demonstrated that when PAA were low, PTTF exerted a substantial positive influence on older adults’ SCP adoption intention (β = 0.524, Boot = 0.045, p < .001, bootstrap 95% CI = [0.435, 0.612]). Similarly, when PAA were high, PTTF exhibited a significant positive influence on adoption intention (β = 0.681, Boot = 0.042, p < .001, bootstrap 95% CI = [0.598, 0.763]). Consequently, the positive correlation between PTTF and older adults’ SCP adoption intention was stronger among individuals with higher levels of PAA compared with those with lower levels, supporting H3.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Open in a new tab

Two-way interaction between perceived task-technology fit and PAA on adoption intention of smart care products for older adults. Note. PAA = positive aging attitudes; M = mean; SD = standard deviation. Alt text: The moderation plot shows that the positive relationship between perceived task-technology fit and adoption intention of smart care products for older adults is significantly enhanced under conditions of high PAA.

In addition to the bidirectional interaction effects, the results further demonstrated a significant moderated mediation model, where the association between DL and SCP adoption intention, as mediated by PTTF, was further moderated by aging attitudes (index = 0.014, Boot = 0.007, bootstrap 95% CI = [0.002, 0.028]). As indicated in Table 4, compared with individuals with moderate (effect = 0.106, Boot = 0.030, bootstrap 95% CI = [0.048, 0.166]) and lower (effect = 0.088, Boot = 0.027, bootstrap 95% CI = [0.039, 0.143]) levels of PAA, the indirect effect of DL on SCP adoption intention was significantly stronger among individuals with higher levels of PAA (effect = 0.115, Boot = 0.033, bootstrap 95% CI = [0.053, 0.180]). This finding suggests that older adults with higher levels of PAA may be more willing to adopt SCPs even with the same DL level. Therefore, H4 is supported.

Table 4.

Moderated mediation effect of DL on SCP adoption intention.

Effect Moderator value Conditional indirect effect at means and ±1
Effect Index Boot 95% confidence interval
Lower level Upper level
Conditional indirect effect M −1SD 0.088 0.027 0.039 0.143
M 0.106 0.030 0.048 0.166
M +1SD 0.115 0.033 0.053 0.180
Moderated mediation effect Decision index 0.014 0.007 0.002 0.028
Open in a new tab

Note. DL = digital literacy; SCP = smart care product.

Discussion and implications

Existing studies have given limited attention to intrinsic factors and theoretical mechanisms that influence older adults’ SCP adoption intention. To fill this research gap, the current study builds a moderated mediation model by using PTTF with the objective of examining how the DL of older adults affects their propensity to adopt SCPs. The findings reveal that, on the one hand, DL directly exerts a positive influence on SCP adoption intention among older adults (Frishammar et al., 2023). On the other hand, DL indirectly fosters adoption intention through PTTF. Furthermore, PAA play a moderating role. When PAA are strong, they not only enhance the positive effect of PTTF on adoption intention but also strengthen the indirect influence of DL on adoption intention through PTTF.

Theoretical implications

The theoretical contributions of this study are reflected in the following aspects. First, this study confirms the crucial role of DL in influencing the adoption of SCPs by older adults, expanding the research on antecedents of adoption intention for such products. Within the limited research on how individual characteristics influence SCP adoption intention, scholars have primarily focused on demographic attributes (e.g., income, health status) (Yang et al., 2023), or human values (e.g., trust, privacy, autonomy) (Cao et al., 2022). The current study introduces DL as a key explanatory variable, establishing individual capability as a third core explanatory dimension alongside attributes and values. This shifts the theoretical perspective from “who adopts” (attributes) and “why they adopt” (values) to “why they are able to adopt” (capability), significantly advancing the theoretical framework in older adults’ technology adoption.

Second, this work develops a novel framework of the role mechanism by applying TTF theory to the field of smart aging, offering a fresh perspective for comprehending the SCP adoption behavior of older adults. Previous research has looked from a theoretical standpoint based on TAM, TPB, and the theory of trust on the technological adoption model of older adults (Akter et al., 2013; Kim et al., 2023; Li et al., 2024). The present study investigates whether DL influences adoption intention among older adults by means of their view of the fit between SCPs and their aging needs, considering the particular context of SCP adoption. It expands the application of TTF theory to the field of SCPs and suggests new directions for future research.

Finally, the current study reveals a moderating role of PAA, confirming the crucial influence of psychological factors in technology adoption among older adults. Technology adoption is fundamentally an interactive process between people and technology (Parkes, 2013). While traditional technology acceptance theories have primarily focused on the direct effects of cognitive beliefs on behavioral intentions, they have largely overlooked the moderating role of PAA in older adults’ technology adoption (Sun et al., 2022). By integrating regulatory focus theory with socioemotional selectivity theory, the current study demonstrates that PAA serves as an important motivational factor that moderates the efficiency of translating cognitive assessments (PTTF) into adoption intentions. This finding not only clarifies the boundary conditions of the “DL–PTTF–SCP adoption intention” mechanism but also extends positive aging research from the domains of health and social participation to the context of technology acceptance. Furthermore, it advances the theoretical perspective on technology adoption in older adults from a “technology-oriented” to a “humanities-oriented” approach, providing new theoretical directions for future research.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide useful guidance for raising the acceptance and application of SCPs. First, this research suggests that increasing the DL level of older adults will considerably increase their intention to adopt SCPs. The findings emphasize the need for the government to formulate reasonable and effective counseling programs while promoting DL training for older adults. For example, bridging the digital divide for older adults can be achieved through community-based courses, specially designed teaching methodologies, online courses, or even subsidized digital literacy campaigns aimed at older adults.

Second, developers should prioritize the user-friendliness of SCPs, precisely identify the care demand of older adults, and design a variety of older-adult-friendly SCPs adapted to their specific needs. For example, SCP’s design should include a basic layout, straightforward functions, and step-by-step directions to enhance the experience and PTTF for older adults. In addition, developers should create and share a feedback platform to capture the voice of older consumers and pay attention to what older adults and their families have to say. In this manner, the practicality and effectiveness of SCPs will be increased, ensuring that products better suit the demands of their intended users.

Finally, governments, developers, and communities should collaborate to build a supportive environment that promotes positive aging and encourages older adults to proactively use SCPs to support their aging journey. At the policy level, governments should integrate positive aging objectives into digital literacy education for older adults, using narratives such as “technology enables a high-quality later life” to reshape their perception of digital tools. At the product level, developers should enhance positive feedback mechanisms in interface design, employing empowerment narratives that emphasize autonomy and social engagement to transform technology learning into a process of self-affirmation. At the community level, local initiatives should showcase successful cases of older adults using technology to enhance their lives, eliminating negative stereotypes about aging. Moreover, communities should organize regular tech-sharing events where older adults can learn from peers, building both confidence and willingness to adopt SCPs.

Limitations and future research

Notwithstanding this study’s achievements, certain limitations warrant attention. First, this study used cross-sectional data to test its hypotheses due to the difficulty of collecting data from the older adult population. This condition may restrict the ability to find causal correlations. Subsequent research may employ a longitudinal design to evaluate the robustness of the findings. Second, the sample for this study was gathered in China, where government activities promote the development of SCPs, in contrast with the approaches of Western countries. Future research can apply the proposed model to other countries to investigate its applicability in multicultural settings and undertake cross-cultural comparisons. Finally, this study did not adequately account for the variety of SCPs. Future research can investigate how different product types (e.g., health management, safety monitoring, and social companionship) affect DL, PTTF, and adoption intention.

Conclusion

SCPs can leverage digital technologies to provide older adults with diverse care services, playing a significant role in actively addressing population aging and enhancing the well-being of older individuals. However, existing studies have conducted limited exploration of the influencing factors and mechanisms that underlie older adults’ adoption of SCPs. To promote the dissemination and application of SCPs, the current study draws on TTF theory to investigate the mechanism through which the DL of older adults influences their SCP adoption intention. Based on an empirical analysis of offline questionnaire data collected from 627 older adults in China, the findings reveal that DL among older adults not only directly exerts a positive effect on their adoption intention but also indirectly influences them through the mediating effect of PTTF. In addition, PAA positively moderate the relationship between PTTF and adoption intention. Furthermore, when older adults exhibit higher levels of PAA, the positive influence of their DL on adoption intention, as mediated by PTTF, is amplified. These findings not only deepen understanding among governments, enterprises, and relevant social institutions regarding the incentives for older adult users to adopt SCPs but also increase societal attention to the DL, diverse needs, and PAA of older adults.

Supplementary Material

igaf139_Supplementary_Data
igaf139_supplementary_data.zip (37.8KB, zip)

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Major Project of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education of China, the National Social Science Fund of China, and the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Double First-Class Funds for funding this study. We also acknowledge the reviewers and editors of the Innovation in Aging for helping improve this study.

Contributor Information

Zijun Mao, College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Non-traditional Security Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

Rongxiao Yan, College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Non-traditional Security Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

Hongjiao Liu, College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Non-traditional Security Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

Supplementary material

Supplementary data are available at Innovation in Aging online.

Funding

This work was supported by the Major Project of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education of China [NO. 23JZD016], the National Social Science Fund of China [NO. 21AZZ013], and the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Double First-Class Funds [NO. 2025ZKIJD05]. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

Author contributions

Zijun Mao: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing—review & editing. Rongxiao Yan: Methodology, Data curation, Writing—review & editing, Validation, Project administration. Hongjiao Liu: Conceptualization, Data curation, Visualization, Writing—original draft.

Data Availability

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

igaf139_Supplementary_Data
igaf139_supplementary_data.zip (37.8KB, zip)

Data Availability Statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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