Stimulating the involvement of family members in the medication management activities of older adults through ambient displays: Qualitative study

Background: Little attention has been paid to how medication management technologies, designed for older adults, modify the participation of family caregivers. Methods: We developed a tablet-based ambient display that provides external cues to remind and motivate older adults to take their medications. This study aimed to understand the effect of ambient displays on the involvement of family members in the elderly's medication management. We conducted a 10-week study consisting of interviews administered weekly to nine elderly-caregivers. Findings: We identify that new involvement patterns of the family caregivers were provoked through external cues, which made them aware of older adults' medication adherence and encouraged younger relatives to help older adults.