Lifestyle, not age, predicts smart home success for older adults

(Toronto, May 6, 2026) As the global population ages, smart homes are often touted as the ultimate solution for independent living. However, a new study published in JMIR Aging, a leading Q1 journal from JMIR Publications, suggests that technology developers and policymakers may be missing the mark by treating older adults as a monolithic group.

The research, titled "Segmentation of Older People’s Needs and Readiness for Smart Homes by Residentially Based Lifestyles in Spain: Survey Study," identifies distinct lifestyle segments that determine whether an older person is likely to embrace or reject smart home innovations.

Moving Beyond Age

The study, led by Jiyeon Yu, Angélica de Antonio, and Elena Villalba-Mora from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, surveyed older adults across Spain to move beyond simple demographic data. Instead, they focused on residentially based lifestyles, a combination of daily habits, living environments, and social engagement levels.

The data indicates that an individual's readiness to adopt smart technology is deeply tied to their specific experience within their home and community. The researchers found that segmenting the population based on lifestyle allows for more accurate predictions of technology utilization. This approach helps identify which specific innovations, such as fall detection, automated lighting, or social robots, are most likely to be accepted by different groups of residents.

Key Findings

The researchers identified specific clusters within the older population, ranging from tech-ready urbanites to those in more traditional or isolated residential settings. Key takeaways from the study include:

• The Lifestyle Predictor: A resident's daily routine and social connectivity are more significant indicators of smart home readiness than chronological age.

• Tailored Interventions: Technology for aging-in-place must be customized to specific lifestyle segments to avoid tech-abandonment.

• Barriers to Entry: Perception of privacy and the perceived intrusiveness of sensors vary significantly across different lifestyle groups.

Implications for the Future of Gerontechnology

This study provides a roadmap for engineers and healthcare providers to design more empathetic and effective digital health environments. By understanding these segments, the industry can transition from generic smart homes to personalized living spaces that truly support the diverse needs of the elderly.

The findings emphasize that successful aging-in-place depends not just on the sophistication of the hardware, but on how well the technology integrates into the existing social and daily habits of the resident.

Please cite as:

Yu J, de Antonio A, Villalba-Mora E. Segmentation of Older People’s Needs and Readiness for Smart Homes by Residentially Based Lifestyles in Spain: Survey Study. JMIR Aging 2026;9:e75110

URL: https://aging.jmir.org/2026/1/e75110

DOI: 10.2196/75110

About JMIR Aging

As part of the JMIR Publications portfolio, JMIR Aging leverages a legacy of open science and technological leadership to transform geriatric care. The journal integrates data science, health informatics, and emerging technologies to improve clinical outcomes and well-being for older adults across the care continuum. JMIR Aging ensures that high-impact, evidence-based digital interventions reach a multidisciplinary audience of clinicians, researchers, and caregivers to enhance the quality of life for the global aging population.

About JMIR Publications

JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research. 

To find out more about JMIR Publications, visit jmirpublications.com or connect with them on Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.