Development of a Smart Home Interface With Older Adults: Multi-Method Co-Design Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Smart home technologies offer potential for supporting aging in place.
• Older adults' perception of smart home value is linked to their access to technology-gathered information for informed decision-making.
• Research on designing smart home data visualizations tailored to older adults' needs is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate design options influencing smart home system usefulness.
• To understand older adults' information needs and perceptions of data visualization.
• To explore older adults' preferences for information display in smart home systems.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, co-design approach was employed, involving older adults as active participants.
• Data collection included interviews, observation, focus groups, scenario design, probes, and design workshops.
• 13 older adults (aged 65-89) participated in a thematic data analysis and co-design process for an in-home interface.

Main Results:

• Five key themes emerged: home/health monitoring, social inclusion, cognitive enhancement, display customizability, and recreation/leisure.
• Participants co-designed visual metaphors for these themes, resulting in a user-friendly prototype named 'My Buddy'.
• The prototype provided social, cognitive triggers, and recommendations based on mood, health, and social status.

Conclusions:

• Smart home data visualization is a critical feature, not merely an option, for enhancing understanding and perceived value.
• Effective visualization improves the acceptability and utility of in-home technology for older adults.
• Co-designing interfaces with older adults ensures that smart home technology meets their specific information needs and preferences, promoting independence and well-being.