Internet-of-Things Smart Home Technology to Support Aging-in-Place: Older Adults’ Perceptions and Attitudes
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to examine older adults' perceptions of Internet-of-Things (IoT) smart home devices as part of a real-world feasibility study and describe what factors affect adoption of these technologies. A total of 37 community-dwelling older adults enrolled in the 2-month study. Participants chose among different IoT devices to be installed in their home for the study period. Semi-structured interviews to explore perceptions of the technology were conducted. Older adults have unique preferences for specific types of IoT devices and their functionalities. Similarly, there were different degrees of acceptability across devices. In general, older adults had a positive attitude toward IoT smart home technologies to support their health management. Emergency preparedness was a key benefit of IoT devices identified by many older adults. In addition, convenience of a voice interface provided by a smart speaker was appreciated among participants. Older adults seemed to weigh the benefits and actual need for having the devices against potential infringements on privacy. Nurses and system designers should consider ethical and practical challenges related to the interconnected services of the IoT domain for older adults. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47 (4), 15–21.]
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Positive mental health effects of smart speakers were moderated by frustrations with limited conversational depth, personalization, and concerns about privacy and security.
“However, the positive effects were moderated by frustrations with limited conversational depth, personalization, and concerns about privacy and security, which often tempered initial enthusiasm [13,23].”
From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [23]
Adoption of smart speakers by older adults was limited by usability challenges (e.g., phrasing commands, personalization), cost, and privacy/security concerns.
“Adoption was limited by usability challenges (e.g., phrasing commands, personalization), cost, and privacy/security concerns [13,23].”
From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [23]
Various studies demonstrated that smart speakers are used by older adults daily for physical, mental, and social health.
“For instance, various studies demonstrated that smart speakers are used by older adults daily [10] for physical [22,23], mental [7,32], and social health [8,31].”
From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [23]
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- Authors
- Choi, Y. K., Thompson, H. J., & Demiris, G.
- Venue
- Journal of Gerontological Nursing
- Publisher
- SLACK, Inc.
- Published
- 2021-04
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 15-21
- ISSN
- 0098-9134 (ISSN-L)
- 1938-243X
- OpenAlex
- W3165116635
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5
- FWCI
- 8.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Gerontological Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › IoT-based Smart Home Systems
- Keywords
- Internet of Things, smart home technology, aging in place, older adults, technology adoption, technology acceptance, privacy concerns, disaster preparedness, voice assistants, smart speakers, health management, community-dwelling older adults, ethical considerations
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aging, Attitude, Humans, Perception, Technology, Internet
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