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Smart Home Technology Integration in Home Modification Programs Serving Older Adults: Focus Group Study With Program
Haomin Hu1, Moriah Clarke2, Meredith Hughes3
1Department of Health Information Management, University of Pittsburgh, 3396 Fifth Ave, Room 4178, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States, 1 412 503 3886.
JMIR Aging
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Smart home technology can enhance aging in place by complementing home modifications. Barriers include digital literacy, privacy, and funding, requiring policy support for wider adoption in programs like the Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP).
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Health Services Research
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Assistive Technology
Background:
- Growing demand for in-home support for aging adults necessitates effective interventions.
- Smart home technologies offer potential to enhance aging in place, complementing traditional home modifications.
- Limited adoption of smart home tech in federally funded home modification programs presents a research gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore perspectives of Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP) grantees on integrating smart home technologies.
- To understand current practices, benefits, barriers, and strategies for smart home technology adoption.
- To identify facilitators and challenges for implementing smart home solutions in home modification services.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory qualitative study utilizing virtual focus groups with OAHMP grantees.
- Involved staff, occupational therapists, and home builders from three grantee organizations.
- Thematic analysis using a deductive approach based on a structured discussion agenda.
Main Results:
- Early adoption of smart devices (speakers, cameras, lights) for safety, communication, and independence was reported.
- Barriers identified include older adults' digital literacy, privacy concerns, maintenance burden, rural internet issues, and organizational constraints (training, funding).
- Participants advocated for progressive adoption, hands-on training, low-maintenance tech, and proposed selection criteria across installation, usability, accessibility, sustainability, and security.
Conclusions:
- Integrating smart home technology into home modification programs is a scalable, cost-effective strategy to improve aging in place.
- Policy support, workforce training, clear selection criteria, and sustainable funding are crucial for equitable adoption.
- Further research and implementation strategies are needed to overcome barriers and leverage smart home technology for older adults.
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