Smart Home Technologies for Ageing in Place: A Systematic Review of Health Outcomes, Independence, Healthcare Utilisation and Implementation Considerations.

Objectives: Smart home technologies are increasingly being developed to support ageing in place, yet evidence of their impact remains unclear. This review aimed to synthesise the existing evidence on the role of smart home technologies in enabling older adults aged 65 years and above to live safely...

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Publicado en:Australasian Journal on Ageing Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 1 - 24
Autores principales: Zhai, Jianxia, Millar, Rebecca, Lam, Mary, Pont, Arthur, Kelly, Ryan, de Courten, Barbora
Formato: research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Jun2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2026
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        atl: Smart Home Technologies for Ageing in Place: A Systematic Review of Health Outcomes, Independence, Healthcare Utilisation and Implementation Considerations.
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          Zhai, Jianxia
          Millar, Rebecca
          Lam, Mary
          Pont, Arthur
          Kelly, Ryan
          de Courten, Barbora
        affil: School of Health & Biomedical Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne Victoria,, Australia
      sug:
        subj:
          Assistive Technology In Old Age
          Home Environment
          Aging in Place
          Home Safety
          Outcome Assessment
          Health Resource Utilization
          Implementation Science
          Internet of Things
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Systematic Review
          Cochrane Library
          PubMed
          Psycinfo
          CINAHL Database
          Community Living
          Quality of Life
          Functional Status
          Patient-Reported Outcomes
          Monitoring, Physiologic
          Interpersonal Relations
          Chronic Disease
          Privacy and Confidentiality
          Costs and Cost Analysis
          Computer Literacy
          Checklists
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objectives: Smart home technologies are increasingly being developed to support ageing in place, yet evidence of their impact remains unclear. This review aimed to synthesise the existing evidence on the role of smart home technologies in enabling older adults aged 65 years and above to live safely at home. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and retrospectively registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF; Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/4ZJNC). Six databases were searched for studies published between 2020 and 2025. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed‐methods studies evaluating smart home technologies were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data were synthesised thematically. Results: Thirty studies from 10 countries were included. Smart home technologies supported physiological monitoring, safety, functional and emergency detection, social interaction and cognitive support. Reported benefits in some studies included reduced healthcare utilisation, improved quality of life and independence, enhanced chronic disease management, and positive experiences for users and carers. However, findings were heterogeneous across technologies, populations and outcome measures. Key barriers included privacy, cost, technical reliability and digital literacy. Conclusions: Smart home technologies show potential to support ageing in place by enhancing safety, independence and chronic disease management, while possibly reducing healthcare utilisation and improving quality of life. However, the evidence base remains heterogeneous, with a variety of technologies evaluated, study designs used and outcomes reported. Robust longitudinal studies, standardised outcome measures and comprehensive cost‐effectiveness evaluations are needed to inform implementation, equity and policy development. Practice Impact: Smart home technologies can support older adults to remain safely at home by strengthening health monitoring, safety and functional independence. Integrated multi‐component systems appear more likely to influence healthcare utilisation than single‐function devices, highlighting the importance of selecting technologies that align with individual needs and existing care arrangements. Policy Impact: Policy frameworks supporting ageing in place should prioritise funding for integrated smart home systems rather than isolated devices. While emerging evidence suggests potential system‐level benefits, consistent evaluation of healthcare utilisation, equity implications and long‐term cost‐effectiveness is required to inform sustainable digital investment in community and home‐based care.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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