Design considerations for miniaturized biosensor-enabled systems for older adults: insights from participatory design

Miniaturized technologies, including small, portable, or wearable devices such as biosensors, smartwatches, and implantable devices, are transforming health and wellness by enabling real-time, personalized monitoring and interventions, offering older adults (OAs) greater engagement with digital health and support for self-management and well-being. OAs, however, often face usability challenges due to changes in vision, mobility, cognition, and digital literacy, highlighting the need for inclusive design. Participatory design (PD) engages OAs directly, ensuring technologies are meaningful, functional, and relevant to their everyday lives. This mini-review identifies how participatory design has been applied to emerging technologies for older adults and derives inclusive design considerations for the co-design of miniaturized, biosensor-enabled systems. A total of 22 studies published between 2020 and 2025 were synthesized and categorized into digital health technologies and civic platforms, human-robot interfaces (HRIs) for socially assistive/facilitative robots, voice-based interfaces, and immersive visualizations. Analysis revealed recurring considerations, including clarity, usability, engagement, and trustworthiness, informing a framework for age-inclusive, human-centered, miniaturized biosensor-enabled technologies.