JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

With an increase in the older adult population, sensor-based care solutions that can monitor the deviations in physical, emotional, and physiological activities in real-time from a distance are demanded for prolonging the stay of community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairments (OwCI). To effectively develop and implement these care solutions, it is important to understand current experiences, future expectations, perceived acceptance, and communication needs of the informal caregiver of OwCI from such solutions.

Objective:

In that regard, this comprehensive study with informal caregivers of OwCI aims to (i) highlight their current experiences and future expectations from general sensor-based care solutions, (ii) analyze their perceived acceptance specifically towards unobtrusive sensing solutions (iii) determine the information communication needs and requirements for communicating the information obtained through unobtrusive sensing solutions in different care scenarios (Fall, Nocturnal Unrest, Agitation, and Normal daily life), and (iv) elicit the design features for designing the information communication platform in accordance with persuasive design model (PSD).

Methods:

A multi-method research approach encompassing of survey (N = 464) and in-depth interviews (N= 10) with informal caregivers of the OwCI was used. The insights into past experiences and future expectations from the sensor-based care solutions were obtained through inductive thematic analysis of the interviews. A convergent mixed-method approach was used to assess the acceptance (questionnaire for Technology Acceptance Model) and gather the information communication needs from unobtrusive sensing solutions by using scenario-specific questions in both survey and interviews. Lastly, the design features were elicited by using the PSD model on the obtained information communication needs and requirements.

Results:

In future informal caregivers expect care infrastructure to consider centralized care and an empathetic approach whereas sensor-based care solutions should be adaptable to care needs, demonstrate trust and reliability, and ensure privacy and safety. Most informal caregivers were significantly inclined (p<0.001) to accept unobtrusive sensing solutions for emergencies (75%) rather than monitoring normal daily life activities (43%). Moreover, they display variations in information needs including mode, content, time, and stakeholders involved based on the care scenario at hand. Lastly, PSD design features of reduction, tailoring, personalization, reminders, suggestions, trustworthiness, and social learning were identified for varied care scenarios.

Conclusions:

From the obtained results it can be concluded that the care scenario at hand drives the acceptance as well as information communication design needs and requirements towards the unobtrusive sensing solutions. Therefore, future technology developers are recommended to develop technology that can be easily adaptable to diverse care scenarios whereas designers of such sensor-driven platforms are encouraged to go beyond tailoring and strive for "strong personalization". Additionally, future research is required to solicit input from other pertinent stakeholders, such as care recipients and formal caregivers to ensure the effective implementation of such solutions as they all together construct a care infrastructure.