Intelligent voice assistants (IVAs) have the potential to support older adults' independent living. However, despite a growing body of research focusing on IVA use, we know little about why older adults become IVA non-users. This paper examines the reasons older adults use, limit, and abandon IVAs (i.e., Amazon Echo) in their homes. We conducted eight focus groups, with 38 older adults residing in a Life Plan Community. Thirty-six participants owned an Echo for at least a year, and two were considering adoption. Over time, most participants became non-users due to their difficulty finding valuable uses, beliefs associated with ability and IVA use, or challenges with use in shared spaces. However, we also found that participants saw the potential for future IVA support. We contribute a better understanding of the reasons older adults do not engage with IVAs and how IVAs might better support aging and independent living in the future.

Intelligent voice assistants (IVAs) such as Amazon Echo and Google Home present a promising opportunity to improve access to consumer health information and resources for older adults. However, researchers know little about older adults’ opinions of using IVAs for these potentially critical tasks, particularly those with already limited access. In this paper, we explore older adults’ views about IVAs for consumer health and wellness information with the goal of better understanding what they envision as benefits and barriers of using such technology in the future. We shared an IVA prototype with ten older adults (60 years of age or older). We interviewed them about how a similar system might impact their access to consumer health information. Participants saw the potential for IVAs to improve their search experiences and support them with other health tasks. However, participants were also concerned about adopting an IVA for health due to access barriers, confidentiality risks, and concerns about receiving trusted information. Based on our findings, we discuss considerations for designing IVAs for underserved, older adult populations.

International medical graduates (IMGs) are medical professionals who have immigrated to the United States (US) or Canada (Ca) in hopes of integrating into the labor market. IMGs can be a very helpful resource supplying a diverse background and expertise to the medical system in the host country [Chen et al., 2010]. However, immigration and integration into a new country can be difficult processes due to differences in cultural norms, information sources, and information dissemination. In this study, we investigate the nature of information in the lived experiences of IMGs as they make a new life for themselves and their families in either the US or Canada. By so doing, we contribute to the limited body of research on this population by providing an informational perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 IMGs residing in the US or Canada. Our findings indicate that IMGs spend an inordinate amount of time searching for occupational and employment-related information, which includes information about retraining and residency programs, along with varied strategies to make sense of the new information landscapes. IMGs use various strategies to identify signposts and become conversant in the new landscape. Despite the limited sample, it becomes clear that one's ability to become literate in these new information environments leads to more positive outcomes (i.e., integrating the labor market, overall well-being, belonging).