Many older people felt that electronic care surveillance increased their safety and enabled them to live alone in their own homes.

摘要

Increasingly, older people are living, alone,1 and their preference to "age in place" as their health changes1 is well documented. Research is needed to develop interventions that enable frail, vulnerable older people to safely continue living alone at home. The findings reported by Essen might have been strengthened by linking the study methods to an overarching qualitative research methodology. However, the study contributes important new knowledge about privacy as a barrier or facilitator of the acceptance of in-home electronic healthcare surveillance among older people who were actively being monitored. Additionally, the importance of sustained relationships with trusted care providers informs an issue concerning the replacement of people by technology.2 3 The findings have 2 main implications for practitioners in support of surveillance systems. First, practitioners can integrate the dual character of privacy into discussions about the risks and benefits4 of such technology with older people who are considering its use. Second, the vital role of continued therapeutic relationships and contact with older people who are monitored is highlighted.2 3 Further research is needed to understand decision making related to use of surveillance systems and varied approaches to privacy among older people.