Proactive and Ongoing Analysis and Management of Ethical Concerns in the Development, Evaluation, and Implementation of Smart Homes for Older Adults With Frailty

• DOI: 10.2196/41322
• Publication Date: 2023-03-09T14:18:09Z
• Authors: Rosalie H Wang; Thomas Tannou; Nathalie Bier; Mélanie Couture; Régis Aubry
• Keywords: Conceptual framework; Deliberation; Bioethics; Intergenerational equity

Successful adoption and sustained use of smart home technology can support the aging in place older adults with frailty. However, expansion this has been limited, particularly by a lack ethical considerations surrounding its application. This ultimately prevent members their ecosystems from benefiting technology. paper 2 aims effort to facilitate use: assert that proactive ongoing analysis management concerns are crucial successful development, evaluation, implementation homes for frailty present recommendations create framework, resources, tools manage collaboration adults; ecosystems; research, technical clinical, industry communities. To our assertion, we reviewed intersecting concepts bioethics, specifically principlism ethics care, salient adults. We focused on 6 conceptual domains lead tensions which proper is essential: privacy security, individual relational autonomy, informed consent supported decision-making, social inclusion isolation, stigma discrimination, equity access. concerns, recommended develop framework 4 proposed elements: set as discussed paper, along tool consisting reflective questions guide deliberation throughout project phases; resources comprising strategies guidance planning reporting training leadership, literacy, competency teams concerns; frailty, ecosystems, public awareness participation processes. Older require nuanced consideration when incorporating into care because complex health status vulnerability. Smart may have greater likelihood accommodating users contexts committed comprehensive analysis, anticipation, reflect unique circumstances these users. then achieve desired individual, societal, economic outcomes serve solution health; well-being; responsible, high-quality care.