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A Community-in-the-Loop Approach to Smart Home Monitoring for Aging in Place: Mixed Methods Evaluation of a
Roschelle L Fritz1, Connie Kim Yen Nguyen-Truong2, Jennifer Phipps3
1Faculty School of Nursing, UC Davis Health System, 2570 48th St., Sacramento, CA, 95817, United States, 1 916-734-4349.
JMIR Aging
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Smart home monitoring systems can support aging in place for older adults. Despite high ratings, participants preferred phone calls over automated alerts, highlighting the need for human connection and culturally sensitive technology.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Informatics
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- The aging population is growing, increasing demand for elder care.
- Caregiver availability is decreasing, necessitating innovative solutions.
- Smart homes offer continuous monitoring for aging in place.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate barriers and facilitators to smart home adoption.
- Focus on low-cost systems for community-based health monitoring.
- Target older adults with multiple chronic conditions and poverty.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, mixed-methods design with community co-design.
- Continuous monitoring of 48 older adults using ambient sensors for 4-6 months.
- Analysis of sensor data and qualitative data from surveys and interviews.
Main Results:
- System generated millions of sensor readings and thousands of alerts.
- Low participant response to automated alerts; high response from health workers.
- Key themes: Alone, Trust, Human Connection; preference for phone calls over automated alerts.
Conclusions:
- Communities can adopt technology-delivered healthcare.
- Future research should enhance alerting, visualization, and cultural sensitivity.
- Integrate smart home monitoring into healthcare workflows and reduce digital distress.
