User needs and preferences on AAL systems that support older adults and their carers

This article describes a systematic investigation on the expectations of potential users of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) technologies. More specifically it describes the efforts made to elicit users expectations for services of an AAL system that aims to both monitor older people fostering their independent living and preventing dangerous situations and also offers a valid help to their caregivers. The specific target of our work is older adults, with no critical pathological conditions, who wish to stay home as long as possible. The work proposes a plan for a rigorous systematization of the users needs and their validation based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative research techniques involving both the primary users (older users at home) and the secondary users (formal and informal caregivers) who constitute the network of persons around them. Four main areas relevant to the realization of personalized services have been identified that could help to support independent living and improve Quality of Life (QoL) which include the monitoring of Social Interaction, Physiological Data, Daily Activities and Environmental Data. The presented results are also consistent with the global theoretical framework of International Classification of the Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) which highlights the main factors contributions to independent living. This study also investigates the perceived usefulness and acceptance of specific services (considering both primary and secondary users perspective) that have been listed inside each category with the aim to indicate a clear priority level and preferences of users. The article concludes by providing insights on practical implications for the systems development, presenting concrete examples of possible use cases relevant for the AAL domain linked to the elicited user requirements.