Aesthetically Designing Video-Call Technology With Care Home Residents: A Focus Group Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health

Background:

• Video-calls can reduce loneliness and improve socialization for older adults in care homes.
• User-led design is crucial for the acceptance and usability of new technologies, particularly for individuals with dementia.
• This study focused on person-centered design for a video-call intervention in care home settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore user-led design improvements for a video-call intervention for older care home residents.
• To facilitate the acceptability and usability of a new technological intervention through person-centered design.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-eight care home residents, including seven with dementia, participated in focus groups.
• Participants aesthetically personalized a 'Skype on Wheels' (SoW) device, comprising a tablet and telephone handset.
• Framework analysis was used to analyze audio-recorded comments from the focus group activity.

Main Results:

• Residents successfully interacted with and modified the SoW device through aesthetic personalization.
• Key themes included personalization, socialization needs versus fears, and attitudes toward technology.
• Following the activity, residents indicated a higher likelihood of using video-calls for future socialization.

Conclusions:

• Care home residents show increased engagement with technology when given opportunities for interaction and personalization.
• Low-cost aesthetic personalization can significantly enhance the acceptability, usability, and implementation of technology in care environments.
• User involvement in design is key to integrating new technologies effectively within complex care settings.