Assistive technologies for people with dementia: ethical considerations.

Belinda Bennett,Fiona Mcdonald,Elizabeth Beattie,Ben White,Lindy Willmott,Terry Carney,Ian Freckelton

doi:10.2471/blt.16.187484

Abstract

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 include a new target for global health: SDG 3 aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Dementia care of good quality is particularly important given the projected increase in the number of people living with the condition. A range of assistive technologies have been proposed to support dementia care. However, the World Health Organization estimated in 2017 that only one in 10 of the 1 billion or more people globally who could benefit from these technologies in some way actually has access to them. For people living with dementia, there has been little analysis of whether assistive technologies will support their human rights in ways that are consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The aim of this paper is to examine the relevant provisions of the convention and consider their implications for the use of assistive technologies in dementia care. Assistive technologies can clearly play an important role in supporting social engagement, decision-making and advance planning by people living with dementia. However, concerns exist that some of these technologies also have the potential to restrict freedom of movement and intrude into privacy. In conclusion, an analysis of the implications of assistive technologies for human rights laws is needed to ensure that technologies are used in ways that support human rights and help meet the health-related SDG 3.

Highlights

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 propose a new target for global health: the aim of SDG 3 is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.1 This paper addresses the role of technology in helping to achieve this goal
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, more than a billion people globally could benefit from assistive technologies, yet only one in 10 has access to them.[2]
An emphasis on human rights provides a reminder that technologies should be introduced in ways that are supportive of and respect the rights of vulnerable members of the community.[7]

Summary

Introduction

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 propose a new target for global health: the aim of SDG 3 is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.1 This paper addresses the role of technology in helping to achieve this goal. This paper addresses the role of technology in helping to achieve this goal It does so by focusing on how assistive technologies can help improve the well-being of people living with dementia and by placing a particular emphasis on the human rights implications of these technologies. The total worldwide cost of dementia in 2018 could be 1 trillion United States dollars.[4] Fourth, without research into assistive technologies and greater global awareness of the unmet need for these technologies, in low- and middle-income countries,[5,6] the divide might grow between countries in access to assistive technologies based on their income.[2] an emphasis on human rights provides a reminder that technologies should be introduced in ways that are supportive of and respect the rights of vulnerable members of the community.[7]

Objectives

Conclusion