JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Demographic change, limited care resources, and workforce shortages pose particular challenges for supporting older adults in rural communities. Although Internet of Things (IoT)-based technologies may contribute to independent living and aging in place, their potential remains limited when solutions do not reflect older adults’ everyday needs, capabilities, and living contexts. Participatory approaches may help bridge this gap by involving older adults directly in exploring and developing technologies under real-world conditions.

Objective:

This study investigated what can be learned from the development and implementation of a participatory Living Lab for technology-supported aging in place in a rural community. It examined the interplay between older adults’ participation, Living Lab infrastructure, the perceived relevance of technological applications, and conditions for sustainability and transfer.

Methods:

LoRaLAB was established as a participatory Living Lab in rural Germany comprising an IoT-equipped smart living apartment and a creative workshop. The exploratory qualitative study combined participatory workshops and accompanying focus group interviews with older adults, complemented by expert interviews with stakeholders from comparable initiatives across Germany. Audio-recorded data were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. Observations, think-aloud activities, research memos, and a continuous research diary complemented the analysis by providing contextual and reflexive information.

Results:

Overall, 63 older adults participated in LoRaLAB activities, of whom 50 were included in the analysis. In addition, 32 experts contributed perspectives from comparable initiatives. Older adults evaluated technologies primarily in relation to concrete everyday needs and existing coping strategies rather than technological sophistication. Perceived usefulness, usability, affordability, and access to reliable technical support were important for their evaluations. The participatory process itself required continuous adaptation, and participants influenced not only the evaluation of technologies but also participation formats and the development of the Living Lab. Expert interviews highlighted stable organizational structures, long-term financing, local networks, committed actors, and accessible support as important conditions for sustainable technology-supported aging initiatives.

Conclusions:

Technology-supported aging in place cannot be addressed through technological development alone. Participatory Living Labs can provide real-world environments in which older adults’ everyday needs, technological possibilities, participation, and implementation conditions are explored together. The experience of LoRaLAB suggests that their value lies not only in developing and evaluating technologies but also in creating adaptable local structures for collaborative learning and technology development. Sustaining these structures requires continued participation, local collaboration, technical support, and organizational continuity beyond time-limited research funding. Clinical Trial: The study was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS; registration No. 00037829).