SUPPORTING COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS IN AGING IN PLACE: AN ACTION DESIGN FOR A COMMUNITY-BASED SMART ACTIVITY MONITORING SYSTEM
Carmen Leong, Carol Hsu, Nadee Goonawardene, Hwee-Pink Tan
This study details the development of a smart activity monitoring system designed to help elderly individuals live independently at home. Using a three-year action design research approach, it deployed a sensor-based system in a community setting to understand how to best support community first responders—such as neighbors and volunteers—who lack professional healthcare training.
Problem
As the global population ages, more elderly individuals wish to remain in their own homes, but this raises safety concerns like falls or medical emergencies going unnoticed. This study addresses the specific challenge of designing monitoring systems that provide remote, non-professional first responders with the right information (situational awareness) to accurately assess an emergency alert and respond effectively.
Outcome
- Technology adaptation alone is insufficient; the system design must also encourage the elderly person to adapt their behavior, such as carrying a beacon when leaving home, to ensure data accuracy. - Instead of relying on simple automated alerts, the system should provide responders with contextual information, like usual sleep times or last known activity, to support human-based assessment and reduce false alarms. - To support teams of responders, the system must integrate communication channels, allowing all actions and updates related to an alert to be logged in a single, closed-loop thread for better coordination. - Long-term activity data can be used for proactive care, helping identify subtle changes in behavior (e.g., deteriorating mobility) that may signal future health risks before an acute emergency occurs.
Host: Welcome to A.I.S. Insights, the podcast at the intersection of business and technology, powered by Living Knowledge. I’m your host, Anna Ivy Summers. Host: Today, we're diving into a topic that affects millions of families worldwide: helping our elderly loved ones live safely and independently in their own homes. Host: We’ll be exploring a fascinating study titled "SUPPORTING COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS IN AGING IN PLACE: AN ACTION DESIGN FOR A COMMUNITY-BASED SMART ACTIVITY MONITORING SYSTEM". Host: To help us unpack this is our analyst, Alex Ian Sutherland. Alex, welcome to the show. Expert: Thanks for having me, Anna. Host: So, Alex, this study details the development of a smart activity monitoring system. In simple terms, what's it all about? Expert: It’s about using simple, in-home sensors not just for the elderly person, but specifically to support the friends, neighbors, and volunteers—the community first responders—who check in on them. These are people with big hearts, but no formal medical training. Host: That’s a crucial distinction. Let's start with the big problem this study is trying to solve. Expert: The problem is a global one. We have an aging population, and the vast majority of seniors want to 'age in place'—to stay in their own homes. But this creates a safety concern. A fall or a sudden medical issue could go unnoticed for hours, or even days. Host: That’s a terrifying thought for any family. Expert: Exactly. The challenge this study tackles is how to give those community responders the right information, at the right time, so they can effectively help without being overwhelmed. The initial systems they looked at had major issues. Host: What kind of issues? Expert: Three big ones. First, unreliable data. A sensor might be in the wrong place and miss activity. Second, a massive number of false alarms. An alert would be triggered if someone was just napping or sitting quietly, leading to what we call 'alarm fatigue'. Host: And the third? Expert: Fragmented communication. A responder might get an SMS alert, then have to jump over to a WhatsApp group to discuss it with other volunteers. It was confusing and inefficient, especially in an emergency. Host: So how did the researchers approach such a complex, human-centered problem? Expert: They used a method called action design research. It’s very hands-on. They didn't just design a system in a lab; they deployed it in a real community in Singapore for three years. Expert: They would release a version of the system, get direct feedback from the elderly residents and the volunteer responders, see what worked and what didn't, and then use that feedback to build a better version. They went through several of these iterative cycles. Host: So they were learning and adapting in the real world. What were some of the key findings that came out of this process? Expert: The first finding was a bit counterintuitive. It’s not just about adapting the technology to the person; the person also has to adapt to the technology. Host: What do you mean? Expert: Well, a door sensor is great for knowing if someone has left the house. But if the person just pops next door to a neighbor's and leaves their own door open, the system incorrectly assumes they're still home. This could lead to a false inactivity alarm later. Expert: The solution was a partnership. They introduced a small, portable beacon the resident could carry when they left home. The user’s small behavioral change made the whole system much more accurate. Host: It's a two-way street. That makes sense. What else did they find? Expert: The second major finding was that context is more valuable than just an alert. A simple message saying "Inactivity Detected" is stressful and not very helpful. Expert: So they redesigned the alerts to include context. For example, an alert might say: "Inactivity alert for Mrs. Tan. Last activity was in the bedroom at 10:15 PM. Her usual sleep time is 10 PM to 7 AM." Host: Ah, so the responder can make a much more informed judgment call. It's likely she's just asleep, not in distress. Expert: Precisely. It empowers human decision-making and dramatically cuts down on false alarms. Host: And you mentioned these responders often work in teams. How did the system evolve to support them? Expert: This was the third key finding: the need for integrated, closed-loop communication. They moved all communication into a single platform where each alert automatically created its own dedicated conversation thread. Expert: Everyone on the team could see the alert, see who claimed it, and follow all the updates in one place. Once the situation was resolved, the thread was closed. It made coordination seamless. Host: It sounds like they also uncovered an opportunity beyond just reacting to emergencies. Expert: They did. The final insight was about shifting from reactive to proactive care. Over months, the system collects a lot of data on daily routines. By visualizing this data, responders could spot subtle changes. Expert: For example, a gradual decrease in movement or more frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom could be early indicators of a developing health issue. This allows for proactive intervention before an acute emergency ever occurs. Host: This is incredibly insightful. So, Alex, let's get to the bottom line. Why does this matter for businesses, especially those in the tech or healthcare space? Expert: There are a few critical takeaways. First is the principle of human-centric design. For any IoT or health-tech product, you have to design for the entire system—the device, the user, and their social environment. User adaptation should be seen as a feature to be designed for, not a bug. Host: So it's about the whole experience, not just the gadget. Expert: Right. Second, data is for insight, not just alarms. The business value isn't in creating the loudest alarm; it's in providing rich, contextual information that augments human intelligence. Help your user make a better decision. Host: What about the business model itself? Expert: This study points towards a "Care-as-a-Service" model. It's not just about selling sensors. It's about providing a platform that enables an ecosystem of care, connecting individuals, community organizations, and volunteers. There are opportunities in platform management and data analytics. Expert: And finally, the biggest opportunity is the shift to preventative health. The future of this multi-billion dollar 'aging in place' market isn’t just emergency buttons. It’s using long-term data to predict and prevent health crises before they happen. That’s the frontier. Host: Fantastic. So, to recap: true innovation in this space means creating a partnership between the user and the technology, providing context to empower human judgment, building platforms that support care teams, and using data to shift from reaction to prevention. Host: Alex, thank you so much for breaking down this complex topic into such clear, actionable insights. Expert: My pleasure, Anna. Host: And a big thank you to our audience for tuning in. Join us next time on A.I.S. Insights, powered by Living Knowledge.
Activity monitoring systems, community-based model, elderly care, situational awareness, IoT, sensor-based monitoring systems, action design research
