Literature Review of The Usage of Sensors and IoT Devices in Older Adult Care—Based on Japanese, English, and Chinese Databases—

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the use of sensors and Internet of things (IoT) devices in older adult care via literature review.

Methods: We researched the literature published until 2021 based on Ichu-shi Web, CiNii, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and CNKI. Accordingly, we extracted the data pertaining to the purpose, positive, and negative aspects of the use of developed sensors and IoT devices in older adult care. The sensors and IoT devices were classified according to the intended use described in the adopted literature.

Results: 26 studies were adopted. Sensors and IoT devices were classified into the following 11 types according to the intended use or purpose: for calculating and evaluating the amount of physical activity, preventing getting off the bed and falling, ensuring safety, estimating work position and location change, evaluating sleep state, 24-h vital sign monitoring, reducing the discomfort caused owing to wearing diapers, quantifying the amount of urine retained in the bladder, detecting laughter and facilitating communication, monitoring the facility living environment, and improving and reinforcing care services.

Conclusion: The details of the sensor and IoT device use extracted through the literature review will serve as a reference when widely introducing the devices in long-term care facilities in the future.