Using Virtual Home Assistants to Address Vulnerable Adults' Complex Care Needs: An Exploratory Feasibility Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Aging in place is a growing need for older adults.
• Technology, specifically virtual home assistants (VHAs), is proposed to support this.
• Feasibility of VHA integration into elder care programs requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of using voice-activated virtual home assistants (VHAs) with older adults.
• To explore VHA usage patterns and user experience within the Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE).
• To gather insights for enhancing VHA utility in supporting aging in place.

Main Methods:

• A 4-month feasibility study involving older adults in a PACE program.
• Process evaluations and tracking of VHA usage.
• Qualitative feedback collection from participants and PACE staff.

Main Results:

• The most frequent VHA uses were smart lighting control and information retrieval.
• Participants infrequently engaged with VHA features designed for physical or cognitive enhancement.
• Participants reported enjoyment using VHAs, and staff saw potential for aging in place.

Conclusions:

• VHAs are feasible and enjoyable for older adults in PACE programs.
• Current VHA use is limited in promoting functional health activities.
• Recommendations are needed to increase engagement with health-focused VHA applications for aging in place.