Older adults’ attitudes towards and perceptions of ‘smart home’ technologies: a pilot study GEORGE DEMIRIS{*, MARILYN J. RANTZ{, MYRA A. AUD{, KAREN D. MAREK{, HARRY W. TYRER}, MARJORIE SKUBIC} and ALI A. HUSSAM} {Department of Health Management and Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA {Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA }Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA (Received November 2003) Abstract. Primary objective: The study aim is to explore the perceptions and expectations of seniors in regard to ‘smart home’ technology installed and operated in their homes with the purpose of improving their quality of life and/or monitoring their health status. Research design and methods: Three focus group sessions were conducted within this pilot study to assess older adults’ perceptions of the technology and ways they believe technology can improve their daily lives. Themes discussed in these groups included participants’ perceptions of the usefulness of devices and sensors in health-related issues such as preventing or detecting falls, assisting with visual or hearing impairments, improving mobility, reducing isolation, managing medications, and monitoring of physiological parameters. The audiotapes were transcribed and a content analysis was performed. Results: A total of 15 older adults participated in three focus group sessions. Areas where advanced technologies would benefit older adult residents included emergency help, prevention and detection of falls, monitoring of physiological parameters, etc. Concerns were expressed about the user-friendliness of the devices, lack of human response and the need for training tailored to older learners. Conclusions: All participants had an overall positive attitude towards devices and sensors that can be installed in their homes in order to enhance their lives. Keywords: Smart homes; Telemedicine; Usability; Elder care Introduction The rapid growth of the elderly population and increase in life expectancy have led to new models of positive ageing where older adults are being empowered to lead fulfilling lives and adapt to degenerative changes to maintain functionality, autonomy and quality of life. Independence is a critical issue for many older adults as they age. However, in the pursuit of independence, often the older adult’s safety and health are at risk as they try to cope with health-related issues such as falls, sensory impairment, immobility, isolation, and medication non-compliance. Speci- fically, falling is often the sentinel event that marks the beginning of functional decline [1]. Injuries result from one-third of falls. Falls are also the leading cause of death from trauma for older adults. Impaired vision and impaired hearing are *Author for correspondence; University of Missouri, 324 Clark Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA; e-mail: DemirisG@health.missouri.edu MED. INFORM. (JUNE 2004) VOL. 29, NO. 2, 87–94 Medical Informatics & The Internet in Medicine ISSN 1463-9238 print/ISSN 1464-5238 online # 2004 Taylor and Francis Ltd http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals DOI: 10.1080/14639230410001684387