Enhancing the Well-Being of Older Adults Through Augmented Reality: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda

Abstract

This article uncovers the potential of Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance the well-being of the rapidly growing aging population. This substantial consumer group faces numerous challenges in sustaining well-being and digital inclusion. Analyzing 21 records via the Theory–Context–Characteristics–Methodology (TCCM) framework provides a structured overview of how previous research investigated the use of AR to improve different types of well-being among older consumers (i.e., physical, cognitive, psychological, and social well-being). Prior research has been limited due to its overemphasis on AR in healthcare contexts and a lack of theoretical frameworks and methodological diversity. Furthermore, the TCCM analysis indicates that using AR to promote older adults' psychological and social well-being is understudied. Next to presenting future research directions for consumer behavior and service researchers, this paper emphasizes five emerging themes: (1) theorizing about augmented humanity, (2) enhancing older consumers' psychological and social well-being, (3) examining AR's versatility, (4) co-research with older consumers, and (5) the heterogeneity in the aging population. To promote older adults' well-being via AR, researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers should provide user-centered service environments adjusted to older adults' heterogeneity. Finally, this review highlights what, how, and when scholars and practitioners should explore using AR to facilitate and empower older consumers' well-being within services and consumer research.