Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 2 of 2
Using video capture to investigate the causes of falls in long-term care
- Authors:
- WOOLRYCH Ryan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 55(3), 2015, pp.483-494.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose: Falls and their associated injuries represent a significant cost and care burden in long-term care (LTC) settings. The evidence base for how and why falls occur in LTC, and for the design of effective interventions, is weakened by the absence of objective data collected on falls. Design and Methods: This article reflects on the potential use of video footage in fall investigations. In particular, it reports on findings from a Canadian Institute for Health Research-funded research project entitled “Technology for Injury Prevention in Seniors,” detailing four distinct methodological approaches where video footage of real-life falls was used to assist in identifying the circumstances and contributory factors of fall events in (LTC) settings: questionnaire-driven observational group analysis; video-stimulated recall interviews and focus groups; video observations of the resident 24hr before the fall; and video incorporated within a comprehensive systemic falls investigative method. Results and Implications: The various ways in which video footage offers potential for both care providers and researchers to help understand the cause and prevention of falls in LTC are described. The limitations of using video in fall investigations, including the logistical, practical, and ethical concerns arising from such an approach are also discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
The power(s) of observation: theoretical perspectives on surveillance technologies and older people
- Authors:
- MORTENSON W. Ben, SIXSMITH Andrew, WOOLRYCH Ryan
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(3), 2015, pp.512-530.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
New surveillance technologies that include activity monitoring, and ubiquitous computing, which are described as ambient assisted living (AAL), are being developed to provide unobtrusive monitoring and support of activities of daily living and to extend the quality and length of time older people can live in their homes. However, concerns have been raised with how these kinds of technologies may affect user's privacy and autonomy. This paper aims (a) to describe the development of home-based surveillance technologies; (b) to examine how surveillance is being restructured with the use of this technology; and (c) to explore the potential outcomes associated with the adoption of AAL as a means of surveillance by drawing upon the theoretical work of Foucault and Goffman. The discussion suggests that future research needs to consider two key areas beyond the current discourse on technology and ageing, specifically: (a) how the new technology will encroach upon the private lived space of the individual, and (b) how it will affect formal and informal caring relationships. This is critical to ensure that the introduction of AAL does not contribute to the disempowerment of residents who receive this technology. (Edited publisher abstract)