Towards Augmented Reality-Based Remote Family Visits in Nursing Homes

Abstract

Family visiting restrictions in nursing homes due to COVID-19-related measures have a major impact on elderly and their families. As an alternative communication means, TNO is developing an augmented reality (AR)-based solution to realize high-quality virtual social contact. To investigate its suitability for remote family visits in nursing homes, the AR-based solution will be compared to regular video calling in a user study involving elderly and their family members. Based on focus groups with elderly, family and caretakers, user experience (UX) indicators have been established to evaluate these virtual family visits, of which social presence was the most prominent. Remote family visits via AR-based and regular video calling are expected to result in different UX. It is hypothesized that participants will report the highest levels of social presence in the AR condition. If AR-based video calling is indeed preferred, TNO will continue and upscale the development of this technology.