Older persons' experiences with wearable sensor-based fall risk screening in free-living conditions - a qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Digital Health

Background:

• Falls are a significant health concern for older adults, impacting their quality of life.
• Wearable sensors offer a promising method for predicting falls and assessing fall risk in real-world settings.
• Understanding user experience is crucial for the adoption of wearable sensor technology in elder care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe the lived experiences of community-dwelling older adults using wearable sensors for fall risk screening.
• To assess the acceptability and perceived usability of wearable sensor technology in free-living conditions among older individuals.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving 21 community-dwelling older adults (aged 77-81) in Sweden.
• Participants wore a thigh-mounted wearable sensor for one week to assess fall risk.
• Individual interviews were conducted post-sensor use and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Main Results:

• The overarching theme was 'Being an older person in a fall screening process'.
• Participants perceived sensor use as potentially uncomplicated and even fun, despite initial concerns about feasibility.
• Experiences included worries, practical problems (e.g., sensor loss, skin issues), and reflection on personal data and potential health benefits.

Conclusions:

• Older adults reported varied experiences with wearable sensor-based fall risk screening.
• The technology was generally perceived as easy to use, though practical challenges were noted.
• Participants expressed a desire to gain health benefits from the screening, highlighting the importance of actionable results.