Abstract As Americans live longer, a dynamic opportunity has arisen to provide enhanced resources to sustain their well-being. Cost-conscious, convenient in-home sensing will assist with chronic disease management, and become part of a long-term plan to support our aging population and shrinking healthcare workforce. The purpose of this study was to obtain input from older adults about (i) their comfort level and willingness to adopt different sensor technologies, and (ii) opinions on data sharing, security, and privacy to guide our sensor development. Over 4 different survey timeframes (2018-2022), adults aged 60 and older (N=112) completed our survey either in-person (n=77) or via a REDCap online survey (n=35) (53% female; 30% age >80; 78% college graduates; 19% living alone). Though there were significant differences (p< 0.05) in demographics based upon recruitment source, no differences in attitudes towards sensor use were found by age, gender, education, or marital status. Opinions and preferences for sensor type/number/install location, and data sharing preferences significantly differed (p< 0.05) by home living arrangements (independent, 55+ or continuous care communities). Similar to national surveys, changes in technology use were observed pre- versus post COVID. Respondents living in 55+ and continuous-care housing were more comfortable with having sensors installed in their homes than those in community dwelling independent housing. This study highlights the need to include end users throughout the lifecycle of product development and provides insights into preferences by older adults for sensor use and data sharing.
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Ambient intelligence: Placement of Kinect sensors in the home of older adults with visual disabilities
BACKGROUND: Although a number of research studies on sensor technology for smart home environments have been conducted, there is still lack of consideration of human factors in implementing sensor technology in the home of older adults with visual disabilities. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to advance knowledge of how sensor technology (e.g., Microsoft Kinect) should be implemented in the home of those with visual disabilities. METHODS: A convenience sample of 20 older adults with visual disabilities allowed us to observe their home environments and interview about the activities of daily living, which were analyzed via the inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Sensor technology should be integrated in the living environments of those with visual disabilities by considering various contexts, including people, tasks, tools, and environments (i.e., level-1 categories), which were further broken down into 22 level-2 categories and 28 level-3 categories. Each sub-category included adequate guidelines, which were also sorted by sensor location, sensor type, and data analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines will be helpful for researchers and professionals in implementing sensor technology in the home of older adults with visual disabilities.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1831969
- PAR ID:
- 10295437
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Technology and Disability
- Volume:
- 32
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 1055-4181
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 271 to 283
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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