Digital Pathways to Family Bonds: Exploring WhatsApp Video Calls Adoption by Older Adults With Intellectual Disability in Out‐of‐Home Residence

BACKGROUND: The increased longevity of persons with intellectual disability (ID) means growing numbers are moving to out-of-home residence, affecting their contact with family members. Digital technologies may provide a venue for maintaining contact. This study sheds light on their adoption process. METHOD: Sixteen older adults with ID who live in supported accommodation used tablets for WhatsApp video calls with family members for a month. They were interviewed before and following this intervention. FINDINGS: Two main themes were found regarding the implications of technology use: (1) video calls contributed to the residents' sense of closeness to their families and their well-being and (2) free access to technology and ongoing accessibility were essential to successful adoption. CONCLUSIONS: Using WhatsApp video call and its visual aspect made the residents become more active in contacting their families. However, technology adoption depends also on reciprocity and an accommodated supportive environment within the context of resident-family-staff.