Voice User Interfaces supporting older adults with differing physical and cognitive abilities complete daily activities

Abstract

The number of older adults is expected to increase from 43.1 million in 2012 to 87.3 million people in 2050 and with that, the instances of aging related disorders such as Mild Neurocognitive Disorders (mNCD) and low vision will increase too (Ortman, Velkoff, & Hogan, 2014; WHO, 2019; Beaver & Mann, 1995). There will be a need for innovative technologies to support this rapid increase of older adults. This research looks at how VUI technology, the Amazon Echo, can support older adults with differing abilities in completing daily activities and what level of need can be satisfied. The VUI was installed for twenty-five weeks. After the study, the participants' interactions with the VUI were collected and a post study interview was conducted. Although the daily activities the VUI supported seemed trivial, they were more complex and contributed to a higher level of needs satisfaction from the BASICS model of care.