An Iterative Participatory Design Approach to Develop Collaborative Augmented Reality Activities for Older Adults in...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Health

Background:

• Loneliness affects over 4 million older adults in long-term care (LTC), negatively impacting health.
• Increased social contact is vital, but in-person visits are often limited for LTC residents.
• Augmented Reality (AR) telepresence offers immersive interaction, potentially overcoming limitations of traditional video calls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of AR-based telepresence activities for older adults in LTC.
• To design dyadic collaborative AR activities accommodating the physical and cognitive needs of older adults.
• To develop a design framework for AR interaction technologies for this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Iterative participatory design process involving eight older adults, two family members, and five LTC staff.
• Development of two specific dyadic collaborative AR activities.
• Focus on preferred activities, interaction modes, and overall AR experience.

Main Results:

• A general design framework for AR activities was established.
• Findings highlight the importance of catering AR design to the specific needs of older adults.
• Demonstrated potential for AR to enhance social connection for this population.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative AR holds significant potential for improving social interaction among older adults in LTC.
• User-centered design, considering physical and cognitive abilities, is crucial for effective AR implementation.
• AR can serve as a valuable tool to reduce loneliness and enhance well-being for older adults.