This project was a Jefferson Institute for Smart & Healthy Cities Seed Grant project that examined how smart-home technologies, environmental design, and aging-in-place strategies can be integrated to support quality of life, independence, and well-being among older adults. The project brought together expertise from architecture, design, geriatric medicine, and aging services to identify factors that should be considered when developing smart home environments and technology-enabled living systems for aging populations.
The research team completed a comprehensive review of the literature on aging in place, smart homes, quality of life, participatory design, and age-friendly environments. An interdisciplinary expert panel composed of healthcare professionals, designers, aging specialists, and technology stakeholders was convened using a modified Delphi process to identify priorities, opportunities, and gaps in current practice. The resulting discussions informed the development of a conceptual framework and roadmap for holistic decision-making related to smart aging in place.
As part of the investigation, the team also evaluated commercially available smart-home technologies, devices, and platforms to better understand their potential applications, implementation barriers, usability challenges, and opportunities for supporting older adults in residential settings. Findings highlighted the importance of integrating technology, services, environmental design, and stakeholder perspectives to create adaptive living environments that promote successful aging in place.
Project Collaborators
Kihong Ku, DDes
Associate Professor, Program Director of PhD in Architecture and Design Research, SMARTlab Co-Director
Susan M. Parks, MD
Professor, Family and Community Medicine
Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care
Brooke Salzman, MD
Professor, Family and Community Medicine
Associate Director, Geriatric Programs
Martha Añez, RA, NCIDQ
Associate Professor, Associate Program Director of Interior Design and Interior Architecture
Registered Architect and Aging-in-Place Specialist
Monique Chabot
PhD Candidate in Architecture and Design Research
Graduate Research Assistant