Ethical issues of smart home-based elderly care: A scoping review

Aim To explore current research on the ethics of smart home technologies including artificial intelligence and information technologies for elderly care by conducting a scoping review. Background The development of smart home technologies for care of the older adults provides potential solutions to reduce the caregiver burden within families where they are urgently needed. Building an ethical system to support the application of these technical products should be explored. Methods The literature search was performed in seven electronic databases. Relevant studies from January 2015 to February 2021 were selected; screening and analysis were completed independently by two researchers. Results There were a total of 15 included studies on the ethics of smart home technologies for elderly care, which focused on the following issues: privacy (information privacy and physical privacy), autonomy (independence, informed consent and user-centred control), safety guarantee, fairness and concerns about reduced human contact. Conclusions There exist a number of ethical conflicts in the application of smart home technologies for elderly care. Therefore, it is necessary to further investigate the ethical issues with regards to the decision-making process of weighing the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies. Implications for nursing management Efforts should be made to establish a corresponding ethical framework to ensure the sustainable development of smart, home-based elderly care. Nurses may play an important role in the design and implementation of these technologies to promote ethical awareness and practice.

Automated summary

The current research on the ethics of smart home technologies for elderly care focuses on issues such as privacy, autonomy, safety guarantee, and reduced human contact. Establishing an ethical framework is essential for the sustainable development of smart, home-based elderly care. Nurses can play a crucial role in promoting ethical awareness and practice in the design and implementation of these technologies.