Using Sensor Data to Inform Safe and Healthy Lifestyle During Periods of Confinement of Older Adults (Preprint)

Abstract

Older adults were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a high number of deaths occurring in this age group. The impact of social isolation and home confinement continues to impact the mental and emotional health of older adults, despite the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors including physical and social inactivity, poor sleep quality, and unhealthy diet, have been reported. Recommendations for healthy lifestyle changes have primarily targeted the general population, highlighting the need for personalized recommendations for vulnerable older adults. Remote sensing technologies offer an opportunity to understand behavior changes among older adults and provide personalized recommendations.

This study aims to: 1) describe the effects of home confinement and social isolation on community dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak and 2) investigate how ubiquitous computing and telehealth-based solutions, such as remote sensors installed in homes, can help inform recommendations for safe and healthy lifestyles.

Ubiquitous sensors including bed transducers, 3D depth cameras, and passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors were installed in the homes of older adults (n=64). Features were derived from raw sensor data using signal processing algorithms for each data type, such as gait parameters from 3D path information and respiration rate from bed transducer signals. We compared features derived from sensors for approximately one month before the COVID-19 outbreak (1/14/20-2/13/20) and one month after the onset of the pandemic (3/14/20-4/13/20) . We used descriptive statistics and paired-sample t-tests to compare the two time periods: pre-COVID-19 and early-COVID-19.

Significant differences in sensor features were observed between the pre-COVID-19 and early-COVID-19 time periods. We found statistically significant differences in bed restlessness, time spent in bed, pulse, respiration, and stride length.

This study highlights the impact on behavior and health during periods of home confinement for community dwelling older adults. Findings suggest a significant decline in physical and mental health which could lead to depression, lack of social contact, and diminished functional capacity. The findings also have important implications for older adults during future periods of infectious disease outbreaks. In-home sensor technology may help monitor the health of older adults and make data-driven decisions regarding home confinement and social isolation.

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