scholarly journals Use of an Internet-of-Things Smart Home System for Healthy Aging in Older Adults in Residential Settings: Pilot Feasibility Study

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/21964 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e21964
Author(s):  
Yong K Choi ◽  
Hilaire J Thompson ◽  
George Demiris
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Real World ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Residential Settings ◽  
Iot Devices

Background The Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies can create smart residences that integrate technology within the home to enhance residents’ safety as well as monitor their health and wellness. However, there has been little research on real-world testing of IoT smart home devices with older adults, and the feasibility and acceptance of such tools have not been systematically examined. Objective This study aims to conduct a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of using IoT smart home devices in the actual residences of older adults to facilitate healthy aging. Methods We conducted a 2-month feasibility study on community-dwelling older adults. Participants chose among different IoT devices to be installed and deployed within their homes. The IoT devices tested varied depending on the participant’s preference: a door and window sensor, a multipurpose sensor (motion, temperature, luminosity, and humidity), a voice-operated smart speaker, and an internet protocol (IP) video camera. Results We recruited a total of 37 older adults for this study, with 35 (95%) successfully completing all procedures in the 2-month study. The average age of the sample was 78 (SD 9) years and primarily comprised women (29/37, 78%), those who were educated (31/37, 86%; bachelor’s degree or higher), and those affected by chronic conditions (33/37, 89%). The most widely chosen devices among the participants were multipurpose sensors and smart speakers. An IP camera was a significantly unpopular choice among participants in both phases. The participant feedback suggests that perceived privacy concerns, perceived usefulness, and curiosity to technology were strong factors when considering which device to have installed in their home. Conclusions Overall, our deployment results revealed that the use of IoT smart home devices is feasible in actual residences of older adults. These findings may inform the follow-up assessment of IoT technologies and their impact on health-related outcomes and advance our understanding of the role of IoT home-based monitoring technologies to promote successful aging-in-place for older adults. Future trials should consider older adults’ preferences for the different types of smart home devices to be installed in real-world residential settings.

scholarly journals Use of an Internet-of-Things Smart Home System for Healthy Aging in Older Adults in Residential Settings: Pilot Feasibility Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong K Choi ◽  
Hilaire J Thompson ◽  
George Demiris
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Real World ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Residential Settings ◽  
Iot Devices

BACKGROUND The Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies can create <i>smart</i> residences that integrate technology within the home to enhance residents’ safety as well as monitor their health and wellness. However, there has been little research on real-world testing of IoT smart home devices with older adults, and the feasibility and acceptance of such tools have not been systematically examined. OBJECTIVE This study aims to conduct a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of using IoT smart home devices in the actual residences of older adults to facilitate healthy aging. METHODS We conducted a 2-month feasibility study on community-dwelling older adults. Participants chose among different IoT devices to be installed and deployed within their homes. The IoT devices tested varied depending on the participant’s preference: a door and window sensor, a multipurpose sensor (motion, temperature, luminosity, and humidity), a voice-operated smart speaker, and an internet protocol (IP) video camera. RESULTS We recruited a total of 37 older adults for this study, with 35 (95%) successfully completing all procedures in the 2-month study. The average age of the sample was 78 (SD 9) years and primarily comprised women (29/37, 78%), those who were educated (31/37, 86%; bachelor’s degree or higher), and those affected by chronic conditions (33/37, 89%). The most widely chosen devices among the participants were multipurpose sensors and smart speakers. An IP camera was a significantly unpopular choice among participants in both phases. The participant feedback suggests that perceived privacy concerns, perceived usefulness, and curiosity to technology were strong factors when considering which device to have installed in their home. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our deployment results revealed that the use of IoT smart home devices is feasible in actual residences of older adults. These findings may inform the follow-up assessment of IoT technologies and their impact on health-related outcomes and advance our understanding of the role of IoT home-based monitoring technologies to promote successful aging-in-place for older adults. Future trials should consider older adults’ preferences for the different types of smart home devices to be installed in real-world residential settings.

scholarly journals Safely and Actively Aging in Place: Older Adults’ Attitudes and Intentions Toward Smart Home Technologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142110173
Author(s):  
Elif Tural ◽  
Danni Lu ◽  
D. Austin Cole
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Fire Prevention ◽  
Smart Lighting ◽  
Willingness To Use

As smart technology use is growing in residential environments, research on how such technologies can provide opportunities for safely and actively aging in place by integrating physical activity into daily routines and reducing sedentariness is scarce. This study investigated older adults’ intentions to use and attitudes toward currently available smart home technologies that could contribute to safe and active lives in and around home. The focus was on four representative technologies: smart lighting, smart door locks, smart fire prevention devices, and smart home systems/home automation. This paper presents the results of a sequential mixed-methods study comprised of online and in-person surveys ( n = 129), and a focus group of community-dwelling older adults, aged 50+ ( n = 15). Ordinal regression analyses indicated that perceived usefulness consistently predicts older adults’ attitudes and willingness to use smart home products. While smart fire prevention devices were viewed most favorably due to their potential safety benefits, perceived affordability significantly influenced older adults’ intentions to use them in their homes. The focus group findings underscore technology skepticism, privacy concerns and return on investment as significant determinants of attitudes toward the smart design products. The study has implications of designers and manufacturers by providing insights on how to prioritize smart home technology integrations to homes.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study toward Technologies for Active and Healthy Aging: A Thematic Analysis of Perspectives among Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary End Users

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7489
Author(s):  
Margherita Rampioni ◽  
Adrian Alexandru Moșoi ◽  
Lorena Rossi ◽  
Sorin-Aurel Moraru ◽  
Dan Rosenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
Care Systems

It is expected that, by 2050, people aged over 60 in 65 nations will constitute 30% of the total population. Healthy aging is at the top of the world political agenda as a possible means for hindering the collapse of care systems. How can ICT/sensing technology meet older people’s needs for active and healthy aging? This qualitative study carried out in Italy and Romania in 2020 involved 30 participants: older adults, caregivers, and stakeholders. Based on a user-centered design approach, this study aimed to understand which requirements of ICT/sensing technologies could match people’s needs of active and healthy aging. Findings highlighted that ICT/sensing technology needs to focus on six major themes: (1) learnability, (2) security, (3) independence, empowerment, and coaching values, (4) social isolation, (5) impact of habit, culture, and education variables, and (6) personalized solutions. These themes are consistent with the Active Aging framework and the factors that influence perceived usefulness and potential benefits among older adults. Consequently, this study shows how well-known, but still unresolved, issues affect the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to promote active and healthy aging. This suggests that the reinforcement of the public health system, especially considering the pandemic effect, requires a concrete and formidable effort from an interdisciplinary research network.

Age and Perceptions of Usability on Telephone Menu Systems

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Reynolds ◽  
Sara J. Czaja ◽  
Joseph Sharit
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Real World ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Menu System ◽  
And Function ◽  
Sample Set

The objectives of this study were to determine if older adults encounter difficulty using real-world telephone menu system applications and to gather data on the usability features of these systems. Six real-world telephone menu systems, which varied in complexity and function, were examined. The sample included 32 community dwelling adults ranging in age from 18–80 years. Participants interacted with the menu systems to perform a sample set of tasks. They were also asked to rate the usability features of the system in terms of their goodness and their relative importance. The data indicated that in addition to taking longer, the older adults tended to have more difficulty performing the tasks. The findings also indicated that memorability was an important usability feature, and that the ratings of overall usability and overall satisfaction were significantly worse for the older adults.

scholarly journals Digital Health Interventions for Healthy Aging: A Qualitative User Evaluation and Ethical Assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Ienca ◽  
Christophe Schneble ◽  
Reto Kressig ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract BackgroundDigital health technologies are being increasingly developed with the aim of allowing older adults to maintain functional independence throughout the old age, a process known as healthy ageing. Such digital health technologies for healthy ageing are expected to mitigate the socio-economic effects of population ageing and improve the quality of life of older people. However, little is known regarding the views and needs of older people regarding these technologies. AimThe aim of this study is to explore the views, needs and perceptions of community-dwelling older adults regarding the use of digital health technologies for healthy ageing. MethodFace-to-face, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with community-dwelling older adults (median age 79.6 years). The interview process involved both abstract reflections and practical demonstrations. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed according to inductive content analysis. ResultsThree main themes and twelve sub-themes emerged. The three main themes revolved around the following thematic areas: favorable views and perceptions on technology-assisted living, usability evaluations and ethical considerations. ConclusionsOur study reveals a generally positive attitude towards digital health technologies as participants believed digital tools could positively contribute to improving their overall wellbeing, especially if designed in a patient-centered manner. Safety concerns and ethical issues related to privacy, empowerment and lack of human contact also emerged as key considerations.

scholarly journals Detection of the Hardcoded Login Information from Socket and String Compare Symbols

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
Minami Yoda ◽  
Shuji Sakuraba ◽  
Yuichi Sei ◽  
Yasuyuki Tahara ◽  
Akihiko Ohsuga
Keyword(s):  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Static Analysis ◽  
Real World ◽  
Symbolic Execution ◽  
The Internet ◽  
User Input ◽  
Network Function ◽  
Private Data ◽  
String Search ◽  
Iot Devices

Internet of Things (IoT) for smart homes enhances convenience; however, it also introduces the risk of the leakage of private data. TOP10 IoT of OWASP 2018 shows that the first vulnerability is ”Weak, easy to predict, or embedded passwords.” This problem poses a risk because a user can not fix, change, or detect a password if it is embedded in firmware because only the developer of the firmware can control an update. In this study, we propose a lightweight method to detect the hardcoded username and password in IoT devices using a static analysis called Socket Search and String Search to protect from first vulnerability from 2018 OWASP TOP 10 for the IoT device. The hardcoded login information can be obtained by comparing the user input with strcmp or strncmp. Previous studies analyzed the symbols of strcmp or strncmp to detect the hardcoded login information. However, those studies required a lot of time because of the usage of complicated algorithms such as symbolic execution. To develop a lightweight algorithm, we focus on a network function, such as the socket symbol in firmware, because the IoT device is compromised when it is invaded by someone via the Internet. We propose two methods to detect the hardcoded login information: string search and socket search. In string search, the algorithm finds a function that uses the strcmp or strncmp symbol. In socket search, the algorithm finds a function that is referenced by the socket symbol. In this experiment, we measured the ability of our proposed method by searching six firmware in the real world that has a backdoor. We ran three methods: string search, socket search, and whole search to compare the two methods. As a result, all methods found login information from five of six firmware and one unexpected password. Our method reduces the analysis time. The whole search generally takes 38 mins to complete, but our methods finish the search in 4-6 min.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Awareness and Knowledge of Beans in Relation to Their Nutrient Content and Role in Chronic Disease Risk

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doma ◽  
Farrell ◽  
Leith-Bailey ◽  
Soucier ◽  
Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Dietary Fibre ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Heart Health ◽  
Chronic Disease Risk ◽  
Total Fat

Awareness and knowledge of nutrient-dense foods are important for older adults to help them make dietary choices that support a food-first approach to healthy aging. This is especially important since age is a major risk factor for chronic disease and the proportion of older adults in North America is increasing. Beans can contribute to a food-first approach to healthy aging as they are nutrient-dense and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, studies exploring awareness and knowledge of beans in older adults are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore older adults’ awareness of beans in relation to their nutrient content and role in chronic disease risk. Community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years old) were recruited and completed a validated researcher-administered questionnaire (n = 250), which was followed by 10 focus groups (n = 49). Results showed that the majority of older adults considered beans as a healthy food and thought consuming them could improve their health (99.2% and 98.0%, respectively); however, only 51.2% were bean consumers. While the majority (83.6%) of older adults were aware that a serving of beans is high in dietary fibre, bean consumers were significantly more likely to think that consuming beans could improve health areas related to dietary fibre including body weight management and constipation. Furthermore, most (84.8%) older adults thought consuming beans could improve heart health; however, bean consumers were significantly more likely to be aware that one serving of beans is low in nutrients relevant to heart health including total fat, saturated and trans fat as well as cholesterol. This research can help to inform healthcare professionals and public health agencies to create specific dietary strategies focusing on increasing older adults’ awareness and knowledge of beans in relation to their nutrient profile and role in promoting health.

scholarly journals EAST MEETS WEST: IMPROVING HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS IN THE U.S. AND CHINA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S243-S244
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Jie Hua Lu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Spousal Caregiving ◽  
Pragmatic Clinical Trials ◽  
The U.S

Abstract As the number of older adults in the U.S. and China continues to increase, promoting healthy aging is essential for individuals, family, and society. Both countries face many similar issues due to their aging populations, including prolonging healthy life expectancy and providing quality of care. However, the change in demographics brings with it unique challenges for both the U.S and China. This forum invites scholars and researchers from these two countries to share their knowledge and insights on promoting healthy aging and improving care for older adults. This forum includes five presentations and one-panel discussion. Two presentations will focus on long-term care (LTC) in China, one is to forecast the needs of LTC in the next five decades, and the other is to evaluate the current LTC needs and discuss LTC policy. Using the data from the Health and Retirement Study, the third presentation aims to re-conceptualize spousal caregiving as a dyad-level phenomenon and provides a dynamic view of the spousal caregiving experiences. The last two presentations will focus on promoting healthy aging through clinical interventions. The fourth one is to evaluate the effectiveness of adaptive computer-based cognitive training among community-dwelling older adults in China. The last presentation provides some examples of using pragmatic clinical trials to improve the care of older adults in skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. After the five presentations, the three panelists will provide feedback to the presentations and share their views on healthy aging with the audience.

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