Understanding the Socio-Domestic Activity: A Challenge for the Ambient Technologies Acceptance in the Case of Homecare Assistance

摘要

Due to the global aging of population, fatal domestic accidents increase. In this paper we describe a user-centered design process of a new pervasive technology (CIRDO). The aim of this technology is to empower the elderly people by the detection of their physical falls and to alert family or caregivers. Two different studies were performed. First, we analyzed the actual risk situations. Second, social acceptance was investigated for the different stakeholders involved. Altogether 63 older adults and 38 other stakeholders were subjected to interviews, focus groups, and were observed in user tests. Falls are mostly due to environments, internal factors, external resources, and social factors. Falling scenarios were identified to configure the future device. All stakeholders proved to have different views as to the acceptability of CIRDO, depending on previous experience, trajectory, needs and objective (support, assistance, care, prevention...) Therefore they have specific expectations and fears with regard to the system.