scholarly journals Privacy Concerns Among Older Adults Using Voice Assistant Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 266-267
Author(s):  
Tiffany Driesse ◽  
Robert Roth ◽  
Xiaohui Liang ◽  
David Kotz ◽  
John Batsis ◽  
...  

Abstract Voice Assistant Systems (VAS) are software platforms that complete various tasks using voice commands (e.g., Amazon Alexa), with increasing usage by older adults. It is unknown whether older adults have significant privacy concerns with VAS. 55 participants were evaluated from ambulatory practice sites for a study on VAS detection of early cognitive decline. The mean age was 73.3±5.6 years, 58% female, 93% white, and 53% had mild cognitive impairment. Privacy concerns were assessed via Likert-based surveys. Participants believed data was used with consent (71%) and stored properly (67%); however, 71% wanted new privacy regulations, 43% were comfortable with daily activity monitoring, and 85% thought the data needs to be highly protected. Qualitative themes included “listening-in”, “tracking”, and unwanted sharing of information. Findings suggest that older adults do not have significant privacy concerns for VAS use, but requested additional regulations. Future research can compare VAS privacy concerns between age groups.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 266-266
Author(s):  
Walter Boot

Abstract Emerging technologies, such as voice assistant systems and artificial companion robots, hold a great deal of promise for improving the health, wellbeing, and independence of older adults. However, these solutions will likely be ineffective in the absence of research to understand barriers to the adoption and use of these technologies and without an exploration of the needs and preferences of older adults. This symposium focuses on both the potential of such technologies and factors that may affect their success. H. Spangler will present a detailed analysis of privacy concerns of older adults, with and without cognitive impairment, related to the use of Voice Assistant Systems (VAS). R. Nicholson will discuss the potential of a VAS app for promoting exercise among older adults and their caregivers to enhance mobility independence, with a focus on perceived benefits and dislikes about the app that may impact use. Finally, C. Berridge will present an exploration of perceptions of and attitudes toward artificial companion (AC) robots across the lifespan, before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, including concerns about privacy. Together, these talks will highlight novel methods through which emerging technologies can support older adults and issues to consider if these methods are to produce meaningful change.


Author(s):  
Jordan A. Carlson ◽  
Fatima Tuz-Zahra ◽  
John Bellettiere ◽  
Nicola D. Ridgers ◽  
Chelsea Steel ◽  
...  

Background: The authors assessed agreement between participant diaries and two automated algorithms applied to activPAL (PAL Technologies Ltd, Glasgow, United Kingdom) data for classifying awake wear time in three age groups. Methods: Study 1 involved 20 youth and 23 adults who, by protocol, removed the activPAL occasionally to create nonwear periods. Study 2 involved 744 older adults who wore the activPAL continuously. Both studies involved multiple assessment days. In-bed, out-of-bed, and nonwear times were recorded in the participant diaries. The CREA (in PAL processing suite) and ProcessingPAL (secondary application) algorithms estimated out-of-bed wear time. Second- and day-level agreement between the algorithms and diary was investigated, as were associations of sedentary variables with self-rated health. Results: The overall accuracy for classifying out-of-bed wear time as compared with the diary was 89.7% (Study 1) to 95% (Study 2) for CREA and 89.4% (Study 1) to 93% (Study 2) for ProcessingPAL. Over 90% of the nonwear time occurring in nonwear periods >165 min was detected by both algorithms, while <11% occurring in periods ≤165 min was detected. For the daily variables, the mean absolute errors for each algorithm were generally within 0–15% of the diary mean. Most Spearman correlations were very large (≥.81). The mean absolute errors and correlations were less favorable for days on which any nonwear time had occurred. The associations between sedentary variables and self-rated health were similar across processing methods. Conclusion: The automated awake wear-time classification algorithms performed similarly to the diary information on days without short (≤2.5–2.75 hr) nonwear periods. Because both diary and algorithm data can have inaccuracies, best practices likely involve integrating diary and algorithm output.


Author(s):  
Dan Dumbrell ◽  
Robert Steele

Social media technologies represent an emerging means by which older adults can access health and community information, engage in peer-to-peer information sharing, and also potentially decrease social isolation. Privacy concerns, however, have been consistently identified as a barrier for older adults' use of the Web and social media technologies. The authors conduct a preliminary study involving 150 older adult participants, investigating their use and perceptions of social media technologies. The trial involved first providing the participants with brief training in three common social media technologies: Facebook, Twitter, and Skype. The authors carried out a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the participant's use and privacy perceptions of these technologies. Overall, the results are promising as to the potential to address privacy concerns to enable older adults to further utilize these technologies for improved mental, physical, and social health. Implications for future research and usage within the older adult community are also discussed.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1748-1764
Author(s):  
Dan Dumbrell ◽  
Robert Steele

Social media technologies represent an emerging means by which older adults can access health and community information, engage in peer-to-peer information sharing, and also potentially decrease social isolation. Privacy concerns, however, have been consistently identified as a barrier for older adults' use of the Web and social media technologies. The authors conduct a preliminary study involving 150 older adult participants, investigating their use and perceptions of social media technologies. The trial involved first providing the participants with brief training in three common social media technologies: Facebook, Twitter, and Skype. The authors carried out a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the participant's use and privacy perceptions of these technologies. Overall, the results are promising as to the potential to address privacy concerns to enable older adults to further utilize these technologies for improved mental, physical, and social health. Implications for future research and usage within the older adult community are also discussed.


2012 ◽  
pp. 608-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Mazur ◽  
Margaret L. Signorella ◽  
Michelle Hough

Early research on older adult computer users focused on the possibility for technology to increase social interaction and alleviate loneliness. Subsequent research has been equivocal on the possible benefits of the Internet for well-being. Nonetheless, in spite of an initial “gray gap,” older adults are increasingly joining younger cohorts in using the Internet. Barriers to older adults’ use of the Internet remain, such as physical and cognitive limitations. Attitudinal barriers may exist, but it is unclear whether these result from lack of experience or differences in income or health status. Business researchers have found that older persons differ from other age groups in their Internet engagement patterns, including online buying. Future research directions include whether computers can improve cognitive functioning and quality of life, how to increase engagement levels, and if there will always be a lag in technology use among older adults.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S705-S705
Author(s):  
Jeongwoo Lee ◽  
En-Jung Shon

Abstract A Short form of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-SF) has been widely used to measure of affect in diverse cultural groups. Limited studies have been evaluated the measurement equivalence test of PANAS-SF in diverse age groups. This study examined whether parameters in the measurement model (two-factor model: positive and negative affect) is equivalent across the two age generations (young-middle aged: &lt;65 years [n=1,122]; older adults : ≥65 years [n=1,817]). The sample was obtained from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study and Multiple Group Analysis was performed. The five items of determined, enthusiastic, inspired, alert, and excited reflected positive affect; and the five items of afraid, upset, scared, nervous, and distressed reflected negative affect. The configural model reported acceptable fit (X2= 904.98 [df = 64, p &lt; .001], X 2/df =14.14, CFI =.93, GFI=.94, RMSEA=.06 [90% CI=.06 - .07]). When all factor loadings were constrained, it indicated measurement non-invariance status between young-middle aged and older adults (ΔX 2 = 56.03, Δdf = 8, p&lt; .001, CFI=.93, ΔCFI=.004). Given findings of non-invariance on the full constrained model, the invariance test of each factor loading was performed additionally. Majority of negative items (Afraid, upset, scared, and nervous) and several positive items (determined and excited) were nonequivalent between the two groups. Variances in the measure between two age groups raise a number of issues for future research on affect assessment, suggesting cautious using of PANAS-SF in older adults.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Vladimir Anatolyevich Parfenov ◽  
Sergey Anatolyevich Zhivolupov ◽  
Irina Evgenyevna Poverennova ◽  
Marina Valentinovna Nesterova ◽  
Svetlana Evgenyevna Ushakova ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) is a form of cerebrovascular disease manifested as a vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The management of the patients with CCI is determined by a healthy lifestyle and early therapy aimed at correcting and preventing this disease. Divaza is a drug with endothelial protective and nootropic effects. We present the final efficacy and safety analysis of all-Russian, open-label, prospective, observational, multicenter study of Divaza and emphasize the role of demographic and socioeconomic factors in cognitive disorder (CD) progression. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> CCI patients (<i>n</i> = 2,583) with or without CD were enrolled. Patients received Divaza (2 tablets 3 times per day for 12 weeks). Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) testing was required. The change in the mean MoCA score post-treatment was used as the primary endpoint. As the secondary endpoints, the number of patients with a MoCA &#x3c;26 and ≤17 (dementia); the percentage of patients with a MoCA score improvement in different age groups; the dynamics of mean MoCA score in age groups; and the relationship between CD and sex or regional social/economic factors were assessed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Divaza therapy led to a significant improvement: the mean MoCA score was up to 20% higher post-treatment (Wilcoxon test, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001 vs. baseline). The number of participants with MoCA ≥26 increased by 33.6%. The number of patients with dementia was 4.1 times less after therapy (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001 vs. baseline). Divaza improved cognitive functions of patients in each age group. Findings demonstrate that regional socioeconomic factors contribute to CD development and severity. The observed divergence between sexes was a result of a larger number of women enrolled. The study confirmed the safety of Divaza. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In the study, we observed the efficacy of Divaza for the treatment of CD: a therapy contributed to an increase in the mean MoCA score and the positive dynamics in the number of patients with cognitive improvement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. e764-e781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pallavi Sood ◽  
Sandra L Kletzel ◽  
Shilpa Krishnan ◽  
Hannes Devos ◽  
Ahmed Negm ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Technological advances have allowed a variety of computerized cognitive training tools to be engineered in ways that are fun and entertaining yet challenging at a level that can maintain motivation and engagement. This revolution has created an opportunity for gerontological scientists to evaluate brain gaming approaches to improve cognitive and everyday function. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide a critical overview of the existing literature on nonimmersive, electronic brain gaming interventions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Research Design and Methods Systematic search was conducted using 7 electronic databases from inception through July 2017. A comprehensive 2-level eligibility process was used to identify studies for inclusion based on PRISMA guidelines. Results Seventeen studies met eligibility criteria. Majority of the studies were randomized controlled trials (n = 13) and incorporated an active control (n = 9). Intervention doses ranged from 4 to 24 weeks in duration with an average of 8.4 (±5.1 standard deviation [SD]) weeks. Session durations ranged from 30 to 100 min with an average of 54 (±25 SD) minutes. Nearly half of studies included a follow-up, ranging from 3 months to 5 years (n = 8). For most studies, brain gaming improved at least one cognitive outcome (n = 12); only one study reported improvement in activities of daily living. Discussion and Implications This scoping review conveys the breadth of an emerging research field, which will help guide future research to develop standards and recommendations for brain gaming interventions which are currently lacking.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S650-S650
Author(s):  
Keqing Zhang ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Yanyan Wu

Abstract Improvements in health and increase in life expectancy have contributed to the increasing proportion of older population over the past century. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of older adults with cognitive impairments in the United States will increase by 2.5-4 fold, while age-specific rates remain constant. This paper uses data from 10 waves (1996-2014) of the Health and Retirement Study (N= 33213) to crystalize the trends in cognitive function changes and cognitive impairment rates in a nationally representative sample of older adults. OLS and logistic regressions are used to estimate the trends and determine the contribution of sociodemographic variables to decreasing trends in the prevalence of cognitive impairment over time. Results show that with the increase of age, the cognitive function of older adults decline in all races, after adjustment for age, gender, education, and other sociodemographic factors. Also, the annual decline rate of cognitive function is larger for African Americans and Hispanic Americans, while smaller for white and other races. A further investigation of the possibility of cognitive impairment reveals a different scenario: as individual ages, the Hispanic are the least likely to suffer from cognitive impairment, followed by the white, other and black. Improvements in educational level contribute to declines in cognitive impairment across all races, particular the Hispanic Americans. Race-specific findings suggest that future research need to take into account the racial diversity and possibly cultural influences when examining the cognitive functions of older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205566832090907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amel Yaddaden ◽  
Mélanie Couture ◽  
Mireille Gagnon-Roy ◽  
Patricia Belchior ◽  
Maxime Lussier ◽  
...  

Introduction Occupational therapists promote safety and autonomy of older adults with cognitive impairments. A technology, named COOK, offers support on a touch screen installed next to the stove to support task performance while correcting risky behaviors. We aimed to document (1) the functional profiles according the diagnosis (2) the types of interventions used to increase autonomy in the kitchen (3) the facilitators and obstacles to the implementation of COOK with this clientele. Methods Four focus groups were conducted with occupational therapists ( n = 24) and were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis, including coding and matrix building. Results Occupational therapists identified different (1) functional profiles and (2) interventions for both diagnoses. The use of COOK (3) could be more beneficial in mild cognitive impairment, as many barriers occur for the use in Alzheimer’s disease. Some parameters, such as digital control of the stove and complex information management, need to be simplified. Discussion According to occupational therapists, this technology is particularly applicable to people with mild cognitive impairment, because this population has better learning abilities. Conclusion This study documented the specific needs of older adults with cognitive impairments as well as interventions used by occupational therapists. The perspectives of caregivers should be captured in future research.


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