Ethical Considerations for Integrating Technology

Emerging technologies provide the opportunity to develop innovative sustainable service models that are capable of supporting adults with dementia at home. Devices range from simple stand-alone components that can generate a responsive alarm call to complex interoperable systems. From these complex systems, the paradigm of the ubiquitous or ambient smart home has emerged, integrating technology, environmental design, and traditional care provision. The service context is often complex, involving a variety of stakeholders and a range of interested agencies. Against this backdrop, as anecdotal evidence and government policies spawn further innovation, it is critical that due consideration is given to the potential ethical ramifications at an individual, organizational, and societal level. Well-grounded ethical thinking and proactive ethical responses to this innovation is required. Explicit policy and practice should, therefore, emerge which engenders confidence in existing supported living option schemes for adults with dementia, and informs further innovation.