TITLE:
Exploring the Experiences of Wearable Health Monitoring Devices among the Aging Population: A Qualitative Systematic Review
AUTHORS:
Atisi Lawson Hayford, Jomin George
KEYWORDS:
Health, Elderly, Monitoring Device, Wearable Devices, Technology, Review
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.8,
August
28,
2024
ABSTRACT: The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare, particularly through wearable health monitoring devices (WHMDs), has the potential to significantly enhance elderly care by promoting active aging and remote health management. This study aims to explore the experiences, motivations, and challenges faced by older adults using WHMDs through a qualitative systematic review. We conducted a systematic search across six electronic databases and selected 18 studies conducted in 10 countries. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and employed the SPIDER tool for organising keywords and phrases. The findings underscore the significant positive impact of WHMDs on elderly health. These devices enhance physical activity, detect falls, and improve posture and sleep, thereby promoting a healthier lifestyle for older adults. They also provide safety features and connectivity with family and healthcare providers, which are highly valued by the elderly. However, challenges, such as short battery life, complex interfaces, and concerns about privacy and data security, hinder widespread adoption. Additionally, older adults often find these devices expensive and face issues with interoperability and connectivity. The review highlights the urgent need for user-centred approaches in WHMD development. These approaches are crucial for addressing technological and socio-psychological barriers and enhancing device functionality to better meet the unique needs of older adults. By overcoming these hurdles, WHMDs can significantly improve the quality of life and independence of older adults, making them a valuable tool in elderly care. These findings offer valuable insights for researchers, developers, policymakers, and service providers in enhancing the adoption and effectiveness of wearable technology among the aging population.