Journal article
"I had eyes on me to help me": a qualitative descriptive study on trust in passive monitoring systems among older adults with mild cognitive impairment
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, v 81(3), Forthcoming
30 Jan 2026
PMID: 41612896
Abstract
Passive monitoring can support aging in place for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Yet, their trust in the technology is crucial as the devices are installed in their homes, collecting data throughout their daily activities. We aimed to understand the perceptions of older adults with MCI to having passive monitoring technology embedded in their residence and examine their trust within this context.
For this qualitative descriptive study, data were obtained from a 12-month study that used passive monitoring technology to predict fall risks among community-dwelling older adults with MCI. We analyzed 30 exit interviews via directed content analysis using trust-related constructs outlined by Lankton et al.
Findings are presented under the model's constructs. Under reliability and integrity, participants described their perception of the sensor's omnipresence, its impact on privacy, and interactions with the team that made them feel safe. Under helpfulness and benevolence, we identified participants' views on the device's benefits, as well as the importance of having someone who is responsive to their data. Under functionality and competency, participants reflected on the sensor's intended unobtrusiveness and its accuracy in capturing gait patterns, along with the necessary infrastructures and indicators for proper functioning.
Participants conceptualized depth sensors as more than a device, instead associating it with human agents who monitored them and interpreted their data. Despite the passive nature of the technology, successful implementation of monitoring systems requires ongoing human involvement and communication with the participants in order to build trust within the community.
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Details
- Title
- "I had eyes on me to help me": a qualitative descriptive study on trust in passive monitoring systems among older adults with mild cognitive impairment
- Creators
- Oonjee Oh (Corresponding Author) - University of PennsylvaniaSean Harrison - University of PennsylvaniaJustine S Sefcik - Drexel UniversityTherese S Richmond - University of PennsylvaniaNancy Hodgson - University of PennsylvaniaGeorge Demiris - University of Pennsylvania
- Publication Details
- The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, v 81(3), Forthcoming
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- Centers for Disease Control and the Penn Injury Science Center: R49CE003083
This work was supported in part by Centers for Disease Control and the Penn Injury Science Center (Grant Nr. R49CE003083). The findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctoral Nursing
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001701081400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105031371684
- Other Identifier
- 991022158973704721