Anne-mie A. G. Sponselee

Smart home technology for the elderly : perceptions of multidisciplinary stakeholders

The “implementation” and use of smart home technology to lengthen independent living of non-instutionalized elderly have not always been flawless. The purpose of this study is to show that problems with smart home technology can be partially ascribed to differences in perception of the stakeholders involved. The perceptual worlds of caregivers, care receivers, and designers vary due to differences in background and experiences. To decrease the perceptual differences between the stakeholders, we propose an analysis of the expected and experienced effects of smart home technology for each group. For designers the effects will involve effective goals, caregivers are mainly interested in effects on workload and quality of care, while care receivers are influenced by usability effects. Making each stakeholder aware of the experienced and expected effects of the other stakeholders may broaden their perspectives and may lead to more successful implementations of smart home technology, and technology in general.

Robo M.D.: a home care robot for monitoring and detection of critical situations

Motivation -- The use of a Home Care Robot combined with a sensor network could possibly improve or replace current home Tele-healthcare systems that monitor elderly people or other people with health problems. Using robot for this is a new and we want to find out what the advantages or disadvantages could be. Research approach -- By using non-invasive wireless sensors the health of the person can be monitored. In case of a possible problem, like when the person has fallen, a robot can autonomously go to the person and ask or check whether help from care-providers would be needed. This check could avoid many false alarms. The robot can call a care-provider by itself. The control of the robot can also be taken over by a care-provider to enable telepresence. By communicating with the person though the robot and seeing through the camera of the robot, the care-provider can then better evaluate the situation and help remotely or send help directly. Findings/Design -- The sensors, the robot and the interaction will be designed and evaluated by doing user-tests. Privacy-issues will be investigated too. Take away message -- The use of such a Home Care Robot can be very cost-effective because it enables people to live longer in their own home, it can prevent many false alarms for the care-provider and compared to systems that need cameras everywhere it can offer more privacy.

How to Guide the Use of Technology for Ageing-in-Place? An Evidence-Based Educational Module

Aim: Technology is suggested to support ageing-in-place. For care- and technology professionals working with older persons it is important to know how to facilitate the use of technology by older persons. This paper presents the translation of the results of a field study into multilevel and multidisciplinary educational material. Method: During home visits, community-dwelling seniors were interviewed regarding reasons for their level of technology use. All types of technology that could support activities of daily living, were included. Resulting themes formed the basis of the development of personas and scripts for education. Next, lecturers from vocational and higher technical and care education developed an evidence-based educational module from the perspective of professional service provision. Results: 53 older adults were interviewed. The level of technology use is influenced by six themes: challenges in the domain of independent living; behavioural options; personal thoughts on technology use; influence of the social network; influence of organisations; and the role of the physical environment. Four personas were developed, one of which was featured into a film, with twelve separate scenes. For each scene, lessons were developed that consisted of specific questions (first level), in-depth questions (second level) and suggestions for classes (for lecturers). Three personas were translated into case histories. Conclusion: Older adults’ perceptions and use of technology are embedded in their personal, social, and physical context. To improve successful technology use to support ageing-in-place, professionals from the domain of care and technology can be trained to be aware of these factors.