Exploring the nuances of Murphy's Law---long-term deployments of pervasive technology into the homes of older adults

and academia on developing technology to allow older people to remain in their homes for as long as possible [1,6]. One approach involves “pervasive technology”—the deployment of various sensors, computers, and output devices embedded in the home environment to track behavior and interactions with household objects (Figure 1). Behind the technology sits software that measures, for example, activities of daily living (ADLs), accumulates this information, and uses it to notify relatives or medical people of the status of an older person living alone [5]. Additionally, this software could provide direct assistance to the older person, such as activity-appropriate prompts and reminders [2]. Since 2002 a group of researchers at Intel’s Digital Health Group have been observing and interviewing senior citizens in studies to better understand them, how this “ubiquitous” sensing might help them, and determine design issues to address. Our philosophy has been to develop emerging-technology solutions and place them into “real” homes as soon as possible, rather than use an on-campus simulated home. This approach provides more valid data on the “livability” of our solutions. Initially, we conducted extensive ethnographic interviews of the home environment and the challenges faced by older adults [4]. Next, we deployed sensors in the homes of six senior citizens and the homes of their primary caregivers to better understand their social activities and how feedback might help improve their social contact [3]. Our next project has involved sensing daily activities and medication compliance to deliver “context sensitive” medication reminders. We have enrolled 11 older adults in a long-term study that is just now being completed. Here, we summarize many of the practical considerations in deploying this type of technology and working with older adults in the design of in-home technology.