NEXT-LEVEL REMOTE HOME ASSESSMENTS WITH 3D TECHNOLOGY - S2 - Innovation in Aging

Sep 28, 2026

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 295 presents a study on next-level remote home assessments enabled by 3D modeling technology. The work addresses safety and accessibility needs of older adults living at home, especially in rural or remote areas where occupational therapy is delayed. It tests whether 3D models improve clinician independence and assessment quality despite unreliable internet, limited views, and measurement difficulty, reducing dependence on high-speed connectivity and care partners.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Problem in rural access and assessment limitations

Approach

Use of 3D modeling technology

Reported outcomes

Clinician ability to observe remotely

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 295 multiple perspectives, including 360-degree views, bird’s-eye views, and floor plans, while also enabling accurate remote measurements. By reducing reliance on high-speed internet and care partners, clinicians can conduct more comprehensive assessments anytime and anywhere, providing older adults with better access to essential services for aging in place. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.993 NEXT-LEVEL REMOTE HOME ASSESSMENTS WITH 3D TECHNOLOGY Jaewon Kang1, Mi Jung Lee2, Consuelo Kreider3, Kimberly Findley4, Keith Myers5, and Sergio Romero5, 1. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States, 2. UTMB Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States, 3. University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, Gainesville, Florida, United States, 4. Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, United States, 5. Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Gainesville (VRHRC-GNV), Gainesville, Florida, United States Most older adults want to remain in their homes as they age. However, their homes may become unsafe or inaccessible, especially for those with disabilities or chronic conditions. Occupational therapists conduct home assessments to identify barriers that impact safety and accessibility for aging in place. Unfortunately, older adults, especially those in rural or remote areas, often face delays or are unable to receive these services due to logistic challenges posed by long distances and a shortage of trained clinicians. To improve access to home assessment services, videoconferencing has been recently adopted in practice. However, clinicians often report challenges such as unstable internet connections, limited field of view, difficulty measuring home environments, and heavy reliance on older adults and their care partners, which impact the quality of assessments. Our project tested 3D modeling technology, commonly used in real estate, to overcome these limitations. Occupational therapists in the study reported that 3D models allowed them to independently observe home environments from

FAQs

What problem does the study target for older adults?

Homes may become unsafe or inaccessible as people age, and home assessments are often delayed or unavailable in rural/remote settings due to logistics and clinician shortages.

Why are existing videoconferencing approaches insufficient?

Clinicians report challenges such as unstable internet, limited field of view, difficulty measuring home environments, and heavy reliance on older adults and their care partners.

How does 3D modeling technology help with remote assessments?

3D models enable clinicians to independently observe home environments and support more comprehensive, accurate remote measurements for aging in place.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin