Surfacing Technology Routines While Studying Videoconferencing Among Older Adults with Cognitive Concerns

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Gerontology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• HCI research is increasingly focused on understanding everyday life to improve technology design for older adults.
• Routines are a key aspect of everyday life that contextualize technology use and are important for older adults, especially those with cognitive concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the routines surrounding videoconferencing technology use among older adults with cognitive concerns.
• To understand how these routines help users adapt to technology constraints and navigate disruptions.

Main Methods:

• A week-long study was conducted with six older adults experiencing cognitive concerns who regularly use videoconferencing.
• Methods included observations, interviews, and a modified diary study to capture detailed insights into their routines.

Main Results:

• Analysis revealed that routines aid adaptation to videoconferencing constraints.
• Participants' strategies for navigating disruptions to their videoconferencing routines were identified.
• Specific types of routines that were more challenging to manage during disruptions were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Routines are vital for supporting older adults with cognitive concerns, particularly in managing technology use.
• Studying the routines of older adults is essential for advancing HCI research and technology design.
• Methods that uncover insights into routines can significantly enrich HCI research practices.