Exploratory study of Google Nest Hubs in the long-term care setting in Manitoba – Canada
Dallas Murphy BA*, Michelle M. Porter PhD, Celine Latulipe PhD, Nicole Dunn MA
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AbstractBackground: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many LTC facilities limited recreational and social activities to minimize the chances of an outbreak, leaving residents isolated. In response, we provided Google Nest Hub devices to 80 PCHs/supportive housing residences as an on-demand engagement mechanism for the residents and staff.
Objective: To evaluate the experiences in setting up and using Google Nest Hub devices in long-term care settings.
Method: We employed an online survey that explored the challenges and benefits of setting up and using the devices, who was using the devices, and how the devices were used. We analyzed the frequencies of the close-ended responses, and manually coded the open-ended responses before again analyzing the frequencies.
Results: Thirty staff members from facilities that received a device completed the survey. The majority (N = 25) had already set up a device, while a few (N =5) had not. The experiences reported by the participants were overwhelmingly positive. The devices were used most by recreation staff, residents, and nursing staff. The most common uses were music, weather forecasts, and videos. The majority of respondents reported that the use of these devices provided ongoing interactions, and nearly all agreed that the effort of using the devices was worth the value. A few issues were encountered, largely related to facilities’ Wi-Fi resources, and challenges surrounding speech as a means of using the devices. Many benefits were reported, and the use of the devices varied.
Conclusion: Our initial analysis revealed a largely positive response to the varied use of these devices that may serve to help combat residents’ isolation and boredom in the long-term care setting and contribute to the resident’s quality of life.Keywords: digital voice assistants, long-term care, Google Nest Hub, nursing home
Dallas Murphy BA*, Michelle M. Porter PhD, Celine Latulipe PhD, Nicole Dunn MA (2022). Exploratory study of Google Nest Hubs in the long-term care setting in Manitoba – Canada. Gerontechnology, 21(1), 1-10
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2023.21.1.802.02