Sensor-Based Mobile App for Assessment and Tracking (SMAAT): Cross-Sectional Usability Study.

Population ageing is a global phenomenon []. Both the absolute and relative population proportions are projected to increase, from 1.1 to 1.4 billion by 2030, and from 12% in 2015 to 22% in 2050, respectively []. Common functional, health, and societal challenges, including multimorbidity, chronic diseases, mobility limitations, and social isolations are related to such demographic shift, increasing the demand for long-term and home-based care, further stretching the existing health and social care services (e.g., workforce, economic needs, etc) [,]. As a result, there is increasing emphasis on developing innovative, scalable, and sustainable models of care that support older adults to live independently while maintaining quality of life. Ageing in place has become a key policy and health and social care priority, reflecting the strong preference of older adults (over 80%) to remain living at home and in the community for as long as possible, with substantial evidence showing associated benefits for independence, social connection, reduced social isolation and depression, cognitive functioning and overall quality of life [–]. These benefits are reinforced through home environment adaptations via a network of supportive services, community ties, and social connections within familiar surroundings. Conversely, the support needs of older adults vary considerably across individuals and over time, depending on their ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental ADLs. Living arrangements (e.g., living alone versus with others), health status and multimorbidity, functional trajectories across the life course, availability of informal care, socioeconomic resources, digital literacy, and housing and infrastructural contexts are all key factors [,]. Technology-enabled care (TEC) is a convergence of digital health, digital media and mobile telecommunication technologies to provide convenient, accessible and cost-effective care and support, and encompasses various technologies, including telemedicine, telehealth, telecare, remote monitoring, digital health and mHealth [,]. It has therefore been proposed as a vital mechanism to support ageing in place by addressing heterogeneous and changing care needs, improving access to appropriate forms and intensities of care, reducing care burden and associated costs, improving social and physical capabilities of older adults, and enhancing independence and safety [–]. TEC contributes to more sustainable models of care by enabling earlier identification of risk, remote support, timely intervention, and more efficient allocation of care resources. These potential contributions depend on technical and organisational capabilities such as data sharing, interoperability, and integration with existing care pathways, and the capacity to identify changing care needs over time. In light of this potential, both adoption and the need for TEC have significantly increased over the past years. For example, a 2020 survey in the US reported how the adoption and use of telehealth jumped from 4.6% pre-pandemic to 21.1% [].