Table 2.
Clusters and sample statements with average importance ratings
| No. | Statement | Total no. of statements in cluster | Importance* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cluster 1: Affordability | 7 | 4.31 | |
| 46 | The costs of the sensors, computer and installation of these devices should be affordable for pensioners | 4.63 | |
| 47 | Financial support should be provided to users of this system for the purchasing, installation and running of the system | 4.46 | |
| Cluster 2: Awareness of system capabilities | 4 | 4.13 | |
| 9 | The limitations of the system should be clearly communicated to the older adult | 4.46 | |
| 60 | The older adult and/or caregiver should be given clear instruction about what to do if the system should stop working | 4.38 | |
| Cluster 3: Simplicity of installation, operation and maintenance | 8 | 4.09 | |
| 13 | The system should be easy to operate | 4.46 | |
| 76 | In the event that one sensor fails, the rest of the sensors will continue to function normally | 4.38 | |
| Cluster 4: System integrity and reliability | 11 | 4.09 | |
| 40 | The system should continue to work during blackouts | 4.63 | |
| 27 | The system should be able to tell the difference between an emergency and non-emergency situation reliably | 4.42 | |
| Cluster 5: Fall detection and monitoring safe movement | 8 | 4.08 | |
| 35 | The system can detect if the older adult has a fall in the home | 4.54 | |
| 39 | The system can monitor the older adults’ safety in the bathroom and toilet (eg, detect slipping) | 4.42 | |
| Cluster 6: User customization | 5 | 4.07 | |
| 49 | If the older adult turns the monitoring system off, the system can remind the older adult to turn it back on again | 4.25 | |
| 32 | The older adult should nominate how they would like alerts issued in their home (ie, audio, visual, vibration) | 4.17 | |
| Cluster 7: User preferences regarding information delivery to caregivers | 12 | 4.00 | |
| 77 | The older adult should choose who they would like to receive information about themselves, including the circumstances for when this information is sent | 4.04 | |
| 18 | Caregivers can choose how they would like to receive notifications and alerts about the older adult (eg, email, text message) | 4.00 | |
| Cluster 8: Safety alerts for caregivers | 7 | 3.70 | |
| 51 | The system can let the caregiver know when the older adult has stayed too long in the bathroom or toilet | 3.92 | |
| 33 | The system can let the caregiver know if the older adult stays too long in bed | 3.79 | |
| Cluster 9: Personal alerts and notifications for the older adult | 21 | 3.33 | |
| 68 | The system can let the older adult know if they leave the stove or gas on for too long | 4.38 | |
| 26 | The system can let the older adult know when appliances have been left on (eg, the iron) | 4.21 | |
*Mean importance rating on a scale from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (very important) as rated by 24 participants. Itaic values are mean important ratings for items within the respective clusters.