The Use of Smart Speakers in Care Home Residents: Implementation Study

Abstract

Background The use of smart speakers to improve well-being had been trialed in social care by others; however, we were not aware of their implementation in most care homes across a region in the Southwest of the United Kingdom. For the widespread adoption of new technology, it must be locally demonstrable and become normalized. Objective The aim of this study was to install smart speakers in care homes in a rural and coastal region and to explore if and how the devices were being used, the barriers to their implementation, and their potential benefits. Methods Email, workshops, drop-in sessions, phone, and cold calling was used to contact all 230 care homes, offering a free smart speaker and some advisory support. Care homes accepting the devices were asked to complete a feedback diary. Nonresponse rate for diary completion was high and was thus supplemented with a telephone survey. Results Over the course of 7 months, we installed 156 devices in 92 care homes for older people, 50 devices for people with physical or mental health needs, and 8 for others. The devices were used mainly for music but also for poetry, recipes, light controls, jokes, and video calls. Care home managers reported the benefits for the residents, including enhanced engagement with home activities, enjoyment, calming effects, and the acquisition of new skills. Implementation problems included internet connectivity, staff capacity, and skills. Conclusions Affordable consumer devices such as smart speakers should be installed in all care homes to benefit residents. Voice-activated technologies are easy to use and promote interaction. This study indicates that implementation in care homes was possible and that smart speakers had multifaceted benefits for residents and staff. Most care homes in this region now use smart speakers for their residents, thereby normalizing this practice.

Factors Influencing the Acceptability, Acceptance, and Adoption of Conversational Agents in Health Care: Integrative Review

“…The 7 (9%) of the 73 studies dealing with the acceptability, acceptance, and adoption among health care professionals referred to different health care professional groups. In addition to physicians [ 26 , 29 , 116 ], the studies investigated the acceptability, acceptance, and adoption of CAs among physiotherapists [ 76 ], mental health professionals [ 77 ], and (home) care providers [ 22 , 85 ]. In the analysis of the data and description of the results, it was important to distinguish between the perception of health care professionals of the use of CAs for patients and their perception of the use of CAs to support their daily work.…”

“…For better comprehensibility within the presentation of results, no distinction was made among the outcomes acceptability, acceptance, and adoption. The original terms from the included primary studies regarding acceptability, acceptance, and adoption can be seen in Multimedia Appendix 6 [ 2 , 10 , 12 - 28 , 35 - 38 , 42 , 51 , 52 , 54 - 57 , 76 - 84 , 86 - 115 , 117 - 124 ] and Multimedia Appendix 7 [ 22 , 26 , 29 , 51 , 52 , 56 , 76 , 77 , 85 , 116 , 123 , 124 ] for patients and health care professionals, respectively. In addition, Multimedia Appendices 6 and 7 include a numerical listing of the influencing factors.…”

“…In addition, benefits were also expected in physical therapy. In particular, the freedom of time and space for patients when using a CA and the real-time feedback provided during home exercises were seen as major advantages [ 26 , 29 , 76 , 77 , 85 ].…”

Exploring the types of therapeutic and psychosocial interventions accessed by people with a diagnosis of alcohol related brain damage (ARBD). A qualitative study

“…I also have an Alexa speaker, if something is on the tip of my tongue but I can't remember the answer, I can quickly ask Alexa before I forget'. In an implementation study conducted by Edwards and Jones (2021), they installed 156 smart speaker devices in 92 care homes for older people experiencing cognitive and mobility de cits. The devices were used mainly for music, poetry, recipes, light controls and video calls and the care home managers reported bene ts including enhanced engagement with activities, calming effects, enjoyment and the acquisition of new skills.…”

Nurses’ perception towards care robots and their work experience with socially assistive technology during COVID-19: A qualitative study

“…A smart speaker is a voice command device that can provide information and entertainment. 7 In Korea, artificial intelligence-based services such as Aria (a voice command smart speaker) and Care Call are used. Silbot (a humanoid robot used for group-based cognitive training activities that is capable of making facial expressions and dancing by moving its arms) and Hyodol (a doll-shaped care robot that speaks in Korean) are available.…”