Supporting elderly homecare with smartwatches: advantages and drawbacks

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Assistive Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Industrialized nations face a growing elderly population, increasing healthcare system strain.
• Enhancing elderly autonomy and independence is crucial for reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of smartwatches as assistive technology for elderly homecare.
• To identify key factors for successful implementation and adoption of smartwatches in supporting independent living for seniors.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted.
• Expert interviews were performed to gather insights on smartwatch utility and limitations for elderly users.

Main Results:

• Smartwatches enable continuous medical surveillance and can host centralized platforms for multiple homecare services.
• Significant barriers include physical constraints: small screen size, limited connectivity, and short battery life.

Conclusions:

• Smartwatches hold significant potential as personal assistants for elderly daily living and independence.
• Overcoming hardware and user interface design challenges is essential for realizing the full benefits of smartwatches for the aging population.