Older people’s attitudes to sharing activity data into social care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring older people’s attitudes towards sharing activity monitoring data into social care services
IRAS ID
324453
Contact name
Kathryn Almack
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Social services utilise technology enabled care (TEC), to support older people to remain living independently at home. One type of TEC is home activity monitoring sensors. These include movement sensors (at least), which collect continuous data, sent to an online portal. Trusted informal carers can view a person’s activity history, and receive real time alerts, to their smart phone. Any decline or deviation in a person’s normal routine might predict a problem early on.
However, this TEC presents a greater level of personal intrusion compared to existing TEC. Currently community (pendant) alarms, with additional (telecare) home sensors, linked to an alarm centre, only send data in the event of an incident, such as a fall or fire risk.
The Government and TEC Services Association advocate social services utilise more activity monitoring technology, with access to its data providing opportunity for more proactive, preventative care interventions. They focus on the benefits of this technology.
Existing research regarding activity monitoring users sharing data with informal carers, or health clinicians, highlight concerns regarding reduced privacy and autonomy, loss of dignity, data security worries, and loss of control of one's private life.
This study addresses a research gap, as there is no research regarding sharing data into social services. It will explore older people’s perceptions regarding benefits and concerns of this technology; specifically, regarding social services accessing data. Findings could inform social services development, delivery, and adoption success of this TEC service.
This is a qualitative study, involving a single interview with older people in receipt of social services input. The study is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), as part of the Social Care Research in Practice Teams (SCRiPT) study. Recruitment will be via Shaping Our Lives, a national user led organisation, involved in SCRiPT.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0177
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion