Low-Income Older Adults’ User Challenges and Preferences Related to Voice Interface Design on Smart Speakers
Open accessAbstract
Purpose: Artificial intelligence–based voice assistants offer diverse functionalities to support aging in place. The current study explored usability challenges and design recommendations for voice user interfaces (VUIs) of smart speakers among low-income older adults. Method: Results from two user-centered design studies involving residents in low-income housing ( n = 27 and n = 11, respectively), including current smart speaker users and nonusers living alone, were synthesized. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we explored participants' experiences, challenges, and design preferences for smart speakers. Results: Participants reported difficulties with technology learning opportunities, lack of in-person technical support, and usability issues with VUI. They also highlighted user-related challenges, such as cognitive and physical limitations, affecting interaction with the devices. Participants proposed VUI design improvements to enhance usability, accessibility, and engagement. Conclusion: The current study contributes to the identification of key barriers and facilitators for smart speaker adoption among underserved older adults, offering recommendations for more inclusive and user-friendly VUI design. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 51 (7), 7–14.]
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A qualitative study revealed that low-income older adults face challenges, including usability issues and difficulties with learning technology, when using voice user interfaces or smart speakers.
“For example, a qualitative study [64] revealed that low-income older adults face challenges, including usability issues and difficulties with learning technology, when using voice user interfaces or smart speakers.”
From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [64]
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Research works printed but not linked: 6
- Czaja SJ, Boot WR, Charness N, & Rogers WA (2019). Designing for Older Adults. Principles and Creative Human Factors Approaches (3rd ed.). CRC Press.
- Hura SL (2008). Voice user interfaces: HCI Beyond the GUI. Design for Haptic, Speech, Olfactory, and Other Nontraditional Interfaces. Morgan Kaufmann.
- Iii PFB, Wilson JF, & Griffith CH (2003). A shortened instrument for literacy screening. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18, 1036– 1038. 14687263 PMC1494969
- Kim KM, & Kim SH (2024). Experience of the Use of AI Conversational Agents Among Low-Income Older Adults Living Alone. SAGE Open, 14(4), 21582440241301022. 10.1177/2158244024130102 · DOI
- Nielsen J (1993). Usability engineering. Morgan Kaufmann.
- Stigall B, & Caine K (2020). A systematic review of human factors literature about voice user interfaces and older adults, Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, USA, 64(1), 13– 17. 10.1177/107118132064100 · DOI
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Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review
Dino, M. J., Leinbach, C., Dino, G., Thiamwong, L., Villafuerte, C. M., Shattell, M., Pimentel, J., Zamora, M. A., Bautista, A., Vitug, J. P., et al. (2025) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare13212772 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“For example, a qualitative study [64] revealed that low-income older adults face challenges, including usability issues and difficulties with learning technology, when using voice user interfaces or smart speakers.”
Research on Intelligent Sound Media and Ambient Care for Disabled Elderly People
吴, 娉. (2026) · Aging Research · doi:10.12677/ar.2026.138604
- Authors
- Chung, J., Viceconte, M., Syros, R., Wood, R., Mansion, N., & Jang, H.
- Affiliations
- Emory University (US)
- Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (US)
- Bon Secours Mercy Health (US)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Gerontological Nursing
- Publisher
- SLACK, Inc.
- Published
- 2025-07
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 7-14
- ISSN
- 0098-9134 (ISSN-L)
- 1938-243X
- PMC
- PMC12707460
- OpenAlex
- W4412111216
- Cited by
- 2
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1
- FWCI
- 4.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Gerontological Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (R03AG069816)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Usability and User Interface Design
- Keywords
- voice user interface, smart speakers, older adults, low-income housing, aging in place, voice assistants, usability problems, technology adoption barriers, accessibility, user preferences, user-centered design, living alone
- MeSH terms
- User-Centered Design, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Artificial Intelligence, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Poverty, User-Computer Interface, Qualitative Research, Independent Living, Patient Preference
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