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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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The power(s) of observation
— theoretical perspectives on surveillance technologies and older people | | Author(s) | W Ben Mortenson, Andrew Sixsmith, Ryan Woolrych |
| Journal title | Ageing and Society, vol 35, no 3, March 2015 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, March 2015 |
| Pages | pp 512-530 |
| Source | journals.cambridge.org/aso |
| Keywords | Technology ; Electronic alarm systems ; Assistive technology ; Theory. |
| Annotation | There is a long history of surveillance of older adults in institutional settings, and it is becoming an increasingly common feature of modern society. 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 (ADLs) 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 users' privacy and autonomy. This paper describes the development of home-based surveillance technologies; and examines how surveillance is being restructured with the use of this technology. The paper also draws on the theoretical work of Foucault and Goffman to explore the potential outcomes associated with the adoption of AAL as a means of surveillance. The discussion suggests that future research needs to consider two key areas beyond the current discourse on technology and ageing: (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. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-150623015 A |
| Classmark | Y9: OV:YA6: M: 4D |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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