The promise of pervasive computing applications is to surround peo-ple with
affordable, transparent and unobtrusive technology. However, several barriers
including usability concerns, a lack of perceived usefulness, and low
technology self-efficacy may jeopardize the successful adoption of ambient
as-sisted living (AAL) systems, particularly by the elderly. Following the
devel-opment of the SocialConnector system, which mediates and coordinates the
communication effort of family members with their elders, this paper describes
the iterative design process conducted to help improve the acceptance of the
system by end-users. This process considered the implicit and explicit concerns
and expectations of the intended target users, and it involved three
improvement cycles along an action research approach. Through this process, we
obtained a set of lessons learned that aim to describe how to unobtrusively
introduce sens-ing and monitoring technology at the home of the elderly.
Keeping simple yet meaningful interaction metaphors helps increase the
learnability and perceived usefulness of AAL technology by the elderly.If older
adults perceive the value of having such kinds of tools installed in their
homes, then they are prone to as-sume them as part of their lives. Likewise,
situational and activity awareness mechanisms, such as visual notification
badges and audio-enhanced user inter-faces, can be used to persuade the elderly
to approach the system and eventually use it. Finally, the design of AAL
solutions also requires active consideration of the needs and attitudes of
other family members, particularly those who assume an active role in the
caring process of their elders.