Brian K. Hensel

Bio: Brian K. Hensel is an academic researcher from University of Missouri. The author has contributed to research in topics: Telehealth & Usability. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 15 publications receiving 1090 citations. Previous affiliations of Brian K. Hensel include Atlantic Philanthropies.

Technologies for an aging society: a systematic review of "smart home" applications.

Abstract: Objectives A “smart home” is a residence wired with technology features that monitor the well-being and activities of their residents to improve overall quality of life, increase independence and prevent emergencies. This type of informatics applications targeting older adults, people with disabilities or the general population is increasingly becoming the focus of research worldwide. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of health related smart home projects and discuss human factors and other challenges. MethodsTo cover not only the medical but also the social sciences and electronics literature, we conducted extensive searches across disciplines (e.g., Medline , Embase , CINAHL, PsycINFO, Electronics and Communications Abstracts, Web of Science etc.). In order to be inclusive of all new initiatives and efforts in this area given the innovativeness of the concept, we manually searched for relevant references in the retrieved articles as well as published books on smart homes and gerontechnology Results A total of 114 publications (including papers, abstracts and web pages) were identified and reviewed to identify the overarching projects. Twenty one smart home projects were identified (71% of the projects include technologies for functional monitoring, 67% for safety monitoring, 47% for physiological monitoring, 43% for cognitive support or sensory aids, 19% for monitoring security and 19% to increase social interaction). Evidence for their impact on clinical outcomes is lacking. Conclusions The field of smart homes is a growing informatics domain. Several challenges including not only technical but also ethical ones need to be addressed.

Senior residents' perceived need of and preferences for "smart home" sensor technologies.

Abstract: Objectives: The goal of meeting the desire of older adults to remain independent in their home setting while controlling healthcare costs has led to the conceptualization of “smart homes.” A smart home is a residence equipped with technology that enhances safety of residents and monitors their health conditions. The study aim is to assess older adults’ perceptions of specific smart home technologies (i.e., a bed sensor, gait monitor, stove sensor, motion sensor, and video sensor). Methods: The study setting is TigerPlace, a retirement community designed according to the Aging in Place model. Focus group sessions with fourteen residents were conducted to assess perceived advantages and concerns associated with specific applications, and preferences for recipients of sensor-generated information pertaining to residents’ activity levels, sleep patterns and potential emergencies. Sessions were audio-taped; tapes were transcribed, and a content analysis was performed. Results: A total of fourteen older adults over the age of 65 participated in three focus group sessions Most applications were perceived as useful, and participants would agree to their installation in their own home. Preference for specific sensors related to sensors’ appearance and residents’ own level of frailty and perceived need. Specific concerns about privacy were raised. Conclusions: The findings indicate an overall positive attitude toward sensor technologies for nonobtrusive monitoring. Researchers and practitioners are called upon to address ethical and technical challenges in this emerging domain.

“Smart Homes” for Patients at the End of Life

Abstract: Smart homes are residential settings equipped with sensors and other devices that enable the monitoring of residents, aiming to improve residents' quality of life and support their independence. Numerous initiatives worldwide have been developed to explore the use of motion sensors, radio frequency sensors, video cameras, wearable devices, and other applications that target older adults. As people approach the end of their lives, such settings may have the potential to support quality of life. This article presents existing smart home applications and discusses their potential for home hospice patients and their families. The concept of obtrusiveness of home technologies is reviewed and ethical considerations are discussed, such as a potential over-reliance on automation, the “medicalization” of the home environment (which may turn the residential setting into a “de-facto intensive care unit”), issues of privacy and security, and the challenge of informed consent for residents.

Obtrusiveness of information-based assistive technologies as perceived by older adults in residential care facilities: A secondary analysis

Abstract: With the anticipated growth in the older adult population in the next few years, information designers are examining new ways for assistive technologies to support independent living and quality of life for adults as they age. Central to the role of assistive technology to support and enhance quality of life is the development of non-obtrusive technologies. Despite the importance of non-obtrusiveness to the design of assistive technologies, there remains no standard definition of obtrusiveness or measurement instrument. A conceptual framework for obtrusiveness in home telehealth technologies has recently been proposed but has not yet been tested empirically. This project performed a secondary analysis of focus group and interview data to explore the presence of the dimensions of the obtrusiveness framework in older adults' responses to information-based assistive technologies in residential care facilities. We found the existing data contained examples of each dimension (physical, usability, privacy, function, human interaction, self-concept, routine, and sustainability) and 16 of the 22 subcategories proposed by the obtrusiveness framework. These results provide general support for the framework, although further prospective validation research is needed. Potential enhancements to the framework are proposed.