Does smart home technology prevent falls in community-dwelling older adults: a literature review

Problem: With the wide adoption and use of smart home applications, there is a need for examining ethical issues regarding smart home use at the intersection of aging, technology, and home environment. Purpose: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of ethical considerations and the evidence on these ethical issues based on an integrative literature review with regard to the utilization of smart home technologies by older adults and their family members. Review Design and Methods: We conducted an integrative literature review of the scientific literature from indexed databases (e. g., MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO). The framework guiding this review is derived from previous work on ethical considerations related to telehealth use for older adults and smart homes for palliative care. Key ethical issues of the framework include privacy, informed consent, autonomy, obtrusiveness, equal access, reduction in human touch, and usability. Results: Six hundred and thirty-five candidate articles were identified between the years 1990 and 2014. Sixteen articles were included in the review. Privacy and obtrusiveness issues appear to be the most important factors that can affect smart home technology adoption. In addition, this article recommends that stigmatization and reliability and maintenance of the system are additional factors to consider. Implications: When smart home technology is used appropriately, it has the potential to improve quality of life and maintain safety among older adults, ultimately supporting the desire of older adults for aging in place. The ability to respond to potential ethical concerns will be critical to the future development and application of smart home technologies that aim to enhance safety and independence.

Download Full-text

Usability and acceptability of technology for community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic literature review

Clinical Interventions in Aging ◽

10.2147/cia.s154717 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol Volume 13 ◽

pp. 863-886 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Torhild Holthe ◽

Liv Halvorsrud ◽

Dag Karterud ◽

Kari-Anne Hoel ◽

Anne Lund

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Literature Review ◽

Systematic Literature Review ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Download Full-text

PERCEPTIONS, ACCEPTABILITY, EXPECTATIONS, AND CONCERNS OF SMART HOME TECHNOLOGIES AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3229 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S881-S882

Author(s):

Amy Guan ◽

Hannah C Dannewitz ◽

Lauren Stratton ◽

Jennifer Margrett ◽

Walter R Boot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Smart Home ◽

Aging In Place ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Smart Appliances ◽

Optimal Aging ◽

Survey Responses ◽

Home Technology ◽

Smart Home Technology

Abstract Optimal aging in place has become a common preference among older adults to maintain identity and independence, thus smart home technologies are increasingly utilized to achieve these goals. However, disconnect may exist between potential technological benefit and perceptions of acceptability and usability (Lee & Coughlin, 2015). We assessed perceptions of adults aged 50+ (range 50-90 years) to analyze their priorities and ultimate acceptability of smart home technology. Data were collected through surveys, focus groups, and case study interviews. Three major themes emerged regarding smart home utilization: benefits, concerns, and expectations. Participants endorsed smart home technologies (e.g., sensors, telehealth devices) and identified benefits, such as the promotion of optimal aging (e.g., maintaining independence, staying active, safety). However, responses also reflected concerns about privacy, ease of use, and amount of control. Expectations regarding smart homes included more mobility, efficiency, and safety within the home. One participant described technology as having “options [that] are exhausting, but also exciting.” Survey responses (n=30) were analyzed to understand participants’ familiarity with smart home technologies, including: nanotechnology (10.7%), smart showers (42.9%), home sensors (70.4%), telehealth (74.1%), smart appliances (71.4%), personal sensors (81.5%), and voice-activated devices (96.4%). Additionally, respondents indicated their willingness to implement these technologies to maintain and/or improve their daily functioning: nanotechnology (53.8%), smart showers (28.6%), home sensors (66.6%), telehealth (81.5%), smart appliances (40.0%), personal sensors (55.5%), voice-activated devices (64.3%). Discussion focuses on the priorities and needs older adults express regarding technology utilization and the implications for person-centered design and implementation of future smart home technologies.

Download Full-text

Independence and shared decision making: The role of smart home technology in empowering older adults

10.1109/iembs.2009.5333789 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

G. Demiris

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Decision Making ◽

Shared Decision Making ◽

Smart Home ◽

Shared Decision ◽

Home Technology ◽

Smart Home Technology

Download Full-text

PP223-SUN: Determinants of Undernutrition among Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review

Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1016/s0261-5614(14)50265-8 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. S103 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. Van Der Pols-Vijlbrief ◽

H. Wijnhoven ◽

L. Schaap ◽

C. Terwee ◽

M. Visser

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Literature Review ◽

Systematic Literature Review ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Download Full-text

Experiences of Older Adults Using Smart-Home Technology in a Senior-Living Community

American Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.5014/ajot.2019.73s1-po4044 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 73 (4_Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 7311515305p1

Author(s):

Karen Sames ◽

Jennifer Hutson ◽

Skye Thompson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Smart Home ◽

Home Technology ◽

Smart Home Technology

Download Full-text

An Aging-focused Heuristic Evaluation of Home Automation Controls

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181319631446 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 6-10

Author(s):

Jeremy Lopez ◽

Claire Textor ◽

W. Braxton Hicks ◽

Makenzie Pryor ◽

Anne Collins McLaughlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

User Interfaces ◽

Smart Home ◽

Heuristic Evaluation ◽

Low Contrast ◽

Agent Interactions ◽

Age Related ◽

Voice User ◽

Home Technology ◽

Smart Home Technology

Smart home technology can help older adults maintain independent lifestyles. Recent technological advancements have made smart home technology less expensive and more attainable for the average consumer. Older adults with limited technology experience can benefit from smart home systems with more natural interactions. One such example is the smart speaker, a device with a voice user interface. However, smart speakers are not explicitly designed for older adult use, thereby raising usability concerns. We conducted a heuristic evaluation of a smart speaker system. The results revealed several violations of both Nielsen’s and additional heuristics. Voiced agent interactions were rigid, unnatural, and uninformative. The companion mobile application was difficult to navigate and used low-contrast imagery. Future considerations of age-related differences will make smart speakers and other voice-user interfaces more usable for the aging population.

Download Full-text