Older Adults' and Caregivers' Perspectives on In-Home Monitoring Technology

In the past decade, there has been an increase in the application and investigation of in-home monitoring systems to support older adults with dementia and their caregivers. The current study focused on a monitoring system that included the use of motion sensors and Internet connections with one-way communication capabilities. Only a limited number of studies have explored and compared older adults' and caregivers' perspectives on such monitoring systems. The purpose of the current study was to explore older adults' and caregivers' perspectives on in-home monitoring systems using photo elicitation techniques. Three overarching themes emerged: (a) In the past decade, there has been an increase in the application and investigation of in-home monitoring systems to support older adults with dementia and their caregivers. The current study focused on a monitoring system that included the use of motion sensors and Internet connections with one-way communication capabilities. Only a limited number of studies have explored and compared older adults' and caregivers' perspectives on such monitoring systems. The purpose of the current study was to explore older adults' and caregivers' perspectives on in-home monitoring systems using photo elicitation techniques. Three overarching themes emerged: (a) feeling cared for(which included two sub-themes), (b) feeling cared about(which included three sub-themes), and (c) suggestions for change(which included four sub-themes). These results revealed the duality of care when using in-home monitoring. Clinical and other future implications are discussed. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(6), 43–50.]