Abstract
Background: By 2050, adults age 60+ will comprise 22% of the world’s population.1 95% of Americans have a chronic condition2 and 63% live in poverty.3-4 Innovative low-cost solutions are needed to support aging-in-place.5-7 The purpose of this case study is to examine the experience of one older adult using a low-cost Smart Health System (SHS) designed to assist with managing chronic conditions. The prototype health monitoring system was retrofitted in existing homes. It included 1 multisensor per room (motion, light, humidity); 2 door use sensors (main entry, refrigerator); an algorithm continuously processing sensor data and sending alerts when the resident exhibited clinically relevant activity pattern changes (e.g., bathroom use frequency); a people-based system of family/friends, community health workers, and nurses.
The case was part of a larger mixed methods prospective study where the SHS was installed for 6 months in the homes of independent, community-dwelling older adults age 60+ residing in subsidized housing in the United States’ Pacific Northwest. Demographically and language diverse older adults (N=47) volunteered to trial the SHS and rate adoptability. Sensor-based analytics and alerts were generated. Extensive field notes were recorded for alert-initiated telehealth calls and end-of-study interviews.
Methods: The illustrative case was studied of an 80-90-year-old female experiencing poverty and living alone while using the SHS for 195 days during which time she experienced an episode of renal dysfunction. Sensor data were quantified. Field notes and semi-structured interviews were analyzed using qualitative description.
Findings: Sensor data showed a decrease in kitchen (59%), living room (53%), time out of the home (46%), and bathroom use (26%), with an increase in bedroom use (56%). Salient alerts were not responded to resulting in a community health worker contacting the participant who reported “not feeling well” and “more secure” because “someone is there watching my back.” Her Net Promotor Score was 10 indicating a strong propensity to recommend the SHS to others.
Implications: This case reveals lessons for future sensor-based health monitoring in clinical practice: (1) sensors offer meaningful information about health behaviors, (2) the alert system was not used by the participant as envisioned, (3) having a people component increases efficacy, affording upstream opportunities for community supported management of chronic conditions.
Notes
References:
1. Ageing and Health. World Health Organization. Published October 1, 2024. Accessed October 23, 2024. www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health.
2. National Council on Aging. Get the Facts on Healthy Aging. Published August 16, 2024. Accessed October 23, 2024. https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-healthy-aging/.
3. Scherer Z and King B. Older Adults in Poverty Less Likely than Those Not in Poverty to Live in Households That Receive Social Security. Published June 25, 2024. Accessed October 23, 2024. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/06/elder-poverty.html.
4. U.S. Census Bureau. Older Adults in Poverty Less Likely Than Those Not in Poverty to Live in Households that Receive Social Security. Published June 25, 2024. Accessed October 23, 2024. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/06/elder-poverty.html.
5. National Academy of Medicine. 2024 US NAM Catalyst Award Competition. Published 2024. Accessed October 23, 2024. https://nam.edu/initiatives/grand-challenge-healthy-longevity/u-s-nam-catalyst-award-competition-round-2-2021/.
6. Hou X, Sharma J, Zhao F. Silver Opportunity - Building Integrated Services for Older Adults around Primary Health Care (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. Published 2023. Accessed October 23, 2024. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099025503072337503/P17583208782960a40bf6804d1758e50f1e.
7. Sumner J, Chong LS, Bundele A, et al. Co-Designing Technology for Aging in Place: A Systematic Review. The Gerontologist. 2021; 61(7): e395–e409.
Sigma Membership
Delta Chi at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Public Community Health, Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Aging-in-Place, Health Monitoring System
Recommended Citation
Fritz, Roschelle L. and Nguyen-Truong, Connie Kim Yen, "Community-Based Smart Health Monitoring System for Older Adults Experiencing Poverty" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 79.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/79
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Community-Based Smart Health Monitoring System for Older Adults Experiencing Poverty
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: By 2050, adults age 60+ will comprise 22% of the world’s population.1 95% of Americans have a chronic condition2 and 63% live in poverty.3-4 Innovative low-cost solutions are needed to support aging-in-place.5-7 The purpose of this case study is to examine the experience of one older adult using a low-cost Smart Health System (SHS) designed to assist with managing chronic conditions. The prototype health monitoring system was retrofitted in existing homes. It included 1 multisensor per room (motion, light, humidity); 2 door use sensors (main entry, refrigerator); an algorithm continuously processing sensor data and sending alerts when the resident exhibited clinically relevant activity pattern changes (e.g., bathroom use frequency); a people-based system of family/friends, community health workers, and nurses.
The case was part of a larger mixed methods prospective study where the SHS was installed for 6 months in the homes of independent, community-dwelling older adults age 60+ residing in subsidized housing in the United States’ Pacific Northwest. Demographically and language diverse older adults (N=47) volunteered to trial the SHS and rate adoptability. Sensor-based analytics and alerts were generated. Extensive field notes were recorded for alert-initiated telehealth calls and end-of-study interviews.
Methods: The illustrative case was studied of an 80-90-year-old female experiencing poverty and living alone while using the SHS for 195 days during which time she experienced an episode of renal dysfunction. Sensor data were quantified. Field notes and semi-structured interviews were analyzed using qualitative description.
Findings: Sensor data showed a decrease in kitchen (59%), living room (53%), time out of the home (46%), and bathroom use (26%), with an increase in bedroom use (56%). Salient alerts were not responded to resulting in a community health worker contacting the participant who reported “not feeling well” and “more secure” because “someone is there watching my back.” Her Net Promotor Score was 10 indicating a strong propensity to recommend the SHS to others.
Implications: This case reveals lessons for future sensor-based health monitoring in clinical practice: (1) sensors offer meaningful information about health behaviors, (2) the alert system was not used by the participant as envisioned, (3) having a people component increases efficacy, affording upstream opportunities for community supported management of chronic conditions.
Description
Sensor-based health monitoring technologies can provide meaningful information about the status of older adults’ health but may be more likely adopted when people are accessible alongside the technology as in the community-based smart health monitoring system.