JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Measuring function with passive in-home sensors has the advantages of real-world, objective, continuous, and unobtrusive measurement. However, previous studies focused on 1-person homes only, which limits their generalizability.

Objective:

This study aims to compare life space activity patterns of participants living alone to participants living as a couple, and to compare mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to cognitively normal participants in both 1- and 2-person homes.

Methods:

Passive infrared motion sensors and door contact sensors were installed in 1- and 2-person homes with cognitively normal residents or residents with MCI. Homes were classified as MCI-home if at least 1 person in the home had MCI. Time out of home (TOOH), independent life space activity (ILSA), and use of the living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom were calculated. Data were analyzed using the following methods: 1) daily averages over 4 weeks, 2) hourly averages (time of day) over 4 weeks, or 3) longitudinal day-to-day change.

Results:

129 homes with people living alone (27 MCI and 102 no-MCI homes) and 52 homes with people living as a couple (24 MCI and 28 no-MCI homes) were included with a mean follow-up of 2 years. Two-person homes showed shorter TOOH, longer ILSA, and shorter living room and kitchen use, using all three analysis methods. ILSA was higher in MCI-homes for 2-person homes, but lower for MCI-homes for 1-person homes. An effect of MCI status for the other outcomes was only found when using the hourly averages or change over time, and it depended on household-type (single versus residing as a couple).

Conclusions:

This study shows that in-home behavior is different when a participant is living alone or living as a couple, meaning that household-type should be taken into account when studying in-home behavior. The effect of MCI-status can be detected with in-home sensors, even in 2-person homes, but data should be analyzed on an hour-to-hour basis or longitudinally.