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Research on aging technologies typically has explored health condition management and physical activity, while other aspects of active aging (e.g., psychological and social well-being) receive less attention. To better support active aging, we focus on the context of tracking technologies because half of the U.S. aging population engaged in keeping records of health and non-health information using manual and digital mediums. We interviewed 18 older adults to investigate their holistic tracking practices. We found participants were motivated to manage their everyday life tasks, preserve sentimental values, generate knowledge for broader audiences, and support relationships and caregiving. These motivations can help older adults age actively by supporting multi-dimensions of well-being besides physical health. Reflecting on findings, we discuss design considerations for tracking technologies to support active aging by expanding the current focus on supporting physical health to broader psychological and social well-being.
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SMART AGING: ENGAGING OLDER ADULTS TO GUIDE SENSOR DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT AGING IN PLACE
Abstract Over 80% of older adults want to live independently in their own homes and communities, maintaining quality of life, autonomy, and dignity as they age. We are using community engaged research methods to aid in developing in-home cost-conscious remote sensing technologies to support older adults age in place. To understand their needs, we engaged older adults in discussions on home-based sensing technologies. We used visuals and demonstrations to facilitate discussions, showing participants our sensor prototypes and a vignette describing the challenges an older adult and the family face managing a chronic condition. Participants voiced their interest in monitoring for select health conditions and situations when either they or the person(s) they care for are home alone. Discussants raised concerns about personal security/privacy, loss of independence, ethics of data collection and sharing, and being overwhelmed by collected data. Discussions have provided valuable feedback to help us develop a sensor system that is flexible enough to accommodate individuals in different life stages and comfort levels, with different home environments, levels of expendable income, and support structures. As a result, we have developed a system that uses nonvisual, non-wearable sensing that measures respiration and heart rates, and indoor location tracking to monitor the health and wellbeing of users. During this session, we will provide detailed results from our community discussions, and discuss the continuing role for community engagement as we move forward with sensor development and testing.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1951880
- PAR ID:
- 10536394
- Publisher / Repository:
- Gerontology Society of America
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Innovation in Aging
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue:
- Supplement_1
- ISSN:
- 2399-5300
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 583 to 583
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Research on smart home monitoring for older adults has predominantly focused on systems whose data and alerts are directed towards family members, caregivers, or healthcare providers. Older adults have expressed interest in engaging with these systems by seeing and using their data, but they are often limited to a passive role as subjects of monitoring. This paper presents qualitative results of a longitudinal smart home project with older adults living independently in the community. Based on interviews conducted throughout the 2.5-year study with 12 participants, we report on their lived experiences of having the monitoring system in their homes and on how they reflected on the data collected by the system. The results show how participants were able to extract meaningful information from the monitoring data without finding the system invasive or intrusive. Specifically, older adults exhibited interest in data that they found indicative of living an active lifestyle, such as time spent outside the home. Drawing from critical literature on active aging, we discuss implications for incorporating peer comparisons to support reflection on personal health data without reinforcing a deficit narrative of aging.more » « less
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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.more » « less
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.1908
