Virtual Home Assistant Use and Perceptions of Usefulness by Older Adults and Support Person Dyads

Abstract

Aim: Describe virtual home assistant use and usefulness from the perspective of older adults and their support persons. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study with older adults and their support persons (n = 10 dyads). Virtual home assistant (VHA) equipment was installed in participants’ homes, and its use was documented for 60 days. Participants received protocol-guided telephone calls to address their VHA questions or problems. The type and frequency of VHA use were summarized with descriptive statistics. End-of-study interviews about VHA use were conducted with dyad participants. Qualitative content analyses were used to describe the interview findings about the dyad’s perceptions of using the VHA, how it was used, any difficulties experienced, and suggestions for future VHA uses. Results: Participant dyads reported positive VHA perceptions, including the potential for VHAs to promote aging in place. Participants discussed the challenges learning the technology and replacing old habits with new ones. Participants offered recommendations for future VHA skills and for more education and training about using the VHA. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that VHAs may be useful for older adults as they age in place and offer reassurance for support persons.

Potential and Pitfalls of Digital Voice Assistants in Older Adults With and Without Intellectual Disabilities: Relevance of Participatory Design Elements and Ecologically Valid Field Studies

“…First, VAs offer technology access for individuals who do not use conventional computing devices. Usability problems caused by small font or buttons are eliminated (Ziman and Walsh, 2018;Kowalski et al, 2019;Corbett et al, 2021), which is especially useful for individuals with limited motor, sensory, or cognitive functions (e.g., Yaghoubzadeh et al, 2013;Wulf et al, 2014). Second, in the social domain, VAs enable contact and communication with others, especially for older people with disabilities like limited vision or impaired hand movement (Kowalski et al, 2019;Scherr et al, 2020;Trajkova and Martin-Hammond, 2020).…”

“…Second, in the social domain, VAs enable contact and communication with others, especially for older people with disabilities like limited vision or impaired hand movement (Kowalski et al, 2019;Scherr et al, 2020;Trajkova and Martin-Hammond, 2020). Additionally, the VA itself can be a social companion to some extent (Scherr et al, 2020;Smith et al, 2020;Corbett et al, 2021). Third, a benefit has been identified in the health domain.…”

“…VAs can assist with daily well-being activities such as health tracking, medication management, or dietary planning (Tsiourti et al, 2014;Nallam et al, 2020;Trajkova and Martin-Hammond, 2020). Fourth, the use of VAs might contribute to enjoyable leisure time experiences, via entertainment features like music, videos, and jokes (Scherr et al, 2020;Corbett et al, 2021). Fifth, VAs can provide support for independent living including aspects of time-structuring (e.g., setting a timer or reminders) and instrumental activities like access to online information (Nallam et al, 2020;Pradhan et al, 2020;Scherr et al, 2020;Corbett et al, 2021).…”

“…Fourth, the use of VAs might contribute to enjoyable leisure time experiences, via entertainment features like music, videos, and jokes (Scherr et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ). Fifth, VAs can provide support for independent living including aspects of time-structuring (e.g., setting a timer or reminders) and instrumental activities like access to online information (Nallam et al, 2020 ; Pradhan et al, 2020 ; Scherr et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ). Sixth, taken together, VAs may have a positive effect on a person's agency because VAs can support older adults with intellectual disabilities in better managing different aspects of their everyday lives (Smith et al, 2020 ).…”

“…We also see limitations at the methodological and design level . In particular, we identified six studies that apply field data collection—collecting data in everyday life settings to analyze the use of VAs among older adults (Tsiourti et al, 2014 ; Kopp et al, 2018 ; Oh et al, 2020 ; Pradhan et al, 2020 ; Scherr et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ). Similarly, user-centered research approaches have been infrequently applied thus far.…”