Older Adults' Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Passive Sensors to Measure Loneliness: A Qualitative Study

Loneliness among older adults significantly affects their health, increasing the risk of mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. Approximately 43% of American adults aged 60 and older report loneliness. Technology-based solutions such as passive sensors offer innovative ways to monitor and alleviate loneliness. In addition to understanding older adults' overall attitudes toward passive sensing, it is important to examine how they may perceive such technologies specifically for the assessment of loneliness. This study examines older adults' perceptions and attitudes toward the use of passive sensors to measure loneliness, with the goal of understanding the feasibility and acceptability of the technology.

A single-group, longitudinal, observational study was conducted with 17 older adults aged 65 and older living independently in Philadelphia. Seven types of sensors were installed in participants' homes for 6 months to monitor motion, proximity, temperature, television viewing, sleep quality, and physical activity. Participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale and were interviewed after the study about their experiences with the sensors. Thematic analysis was used to identify key attitudes and perceptions, and SPSS was used for demographic analysis.

The mean age of the participants was 73.5 years (range 67-84). Key themes that emerged from the analysis include participants' adaptation and adjustment, privacy and trust in data sharing, and perceived benefits and concerns of the installed sensors. Benefits included detecting and reducing loneliness, monitoring physiological parameters, improving healthier behaviors, etc. Concerns about privacy were raised, such as potential misuse by authorities or third parties, lack of accuracy of functions or feasibility of sensors, and lack of human response.

Passive sensors were generally accepted, but raised concerns about data security and skepticism about measuring emotional states. Transparent communication and education are needed to address these issues. Improved sensor designs that are more user-centered could encourage adoption, and the technology shows promise for both measuring and potentially alleviating loneliness (e.g., through prompting increased activity).