Optimizing voice‐controlled intelligent personal assistants for use by home‐bound older adults

Katherine O’Brien · Sophia Weiner‐Light · Sara M Bradley · Lee Ann Lindquist

23 citations0/0 files storedJournal of the American Geriatrics Society

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Technology Use by Older Adults Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility Social Robot Interaction and HRI

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Social isolation is a major public health concern, as isolated individuals are at increased risk of poor overall health, as well as at increased risk of unhealthy behaviors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing strategies have led to increased rates of loneliness and social isolation. There is a clear need for strategies to mitigate the effects of social isolation and loneliness on the mental and physical health of older adults. In this study, we sought to better understand how voice-controlled intelligent personal assistants (VIPAs) could be leveraged to reduce loneliness and social isolation among home-bound older adults. METHODS: Patients and geriatric experts were recruited to use VIPA devices (Google Home) in their homes for 4 weeks and then provide feedback. No prior training was provided. Geriatric experts were recruited via email solicitation from the Northwestern Medicine Geriatrics Clinic, and patients were solicited directly from geriatric primary care physicians. The investigators used qualitative analysis to identify codes and overarching themes. RESULTS: A total of 288 comments were received from 16 participants. Eight major themes were identified: Administrative, Companionship, Home Control, Education, Emergencies, Entertainment, Health and Well-Being, and Reminders. DISCUSSION: Results demonstrate that VIPAs can be useful across multiple domains and potentially play a role in providing physical, social, and cognitive stimulation to home-bound older adults. VIPAs have a wide range of functionality, many of which could be implemented to focus on common geriatric syndromes and may ultimately be a tool to help mitigate social isolation and the consequential loneliness.

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References

2014Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research 2020COVID-19 and the consequences of isolating the elderly 2016The Effect of Information Communication Technology Interventions on Reducing Social Isolation in the Elderly: A Systematic Review 2020Social isolation and loneliness among older adults in the context of COVID-19: a global challenge 2016Loneliness, depression and cognitive function in older U.S. adults 2020Social distancing in covid-19: what are the mental health implications?2020Social Isolation and Loneliness Among San Francisco Bay Area Older Adults During the COVID ‐19 Shelter‐in‐Place Orders 2019Health risks associated with social isolation in general and in young, middle and old age

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2023Smart Speaker and ICT Use in Relationship With Social Connectedness During the Pandemic: Loneliness and Social Isolation Found in Older Adults in Low-Income Housing 2025MemPal: Leveraging Multimodal AI and LLMs for Voice-Activated Object Retrieval in Homes of Older Adults 2024From Command to Care: A Scoping Review on Utilization of Smart Speakers by Patients and Providers 2024Experience of the Use of AI Conversational Agents Among Low-Income Older Adults Living Alone

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