title: Towards a practical framework for managing the risks of selecting technology to support independent living.
abstract: Information and communication technology applications can help increase the independence and quality of life of older people, or people with disabilities who live in their own homes. A risk management framework is proposed to assist in selecting applications that match the needs and wishes of particular individuals. Risk comprises two components: the likelihood of the occurrence of harm and the consequences of that harm. In the home, the social and psychological harms are as important as the physical ones. The importance of the harm (e.g., injury) is conditioned by its consequences (e.g., distress, costly medical treatment). We identify six generic types of harm (including dependency, loneliness, fear and debt) and four generic consequences (including distress and loss of confidence in ability to live independently). The resultant client-centred framework offers a systematic basis for selecting and evaluating technology for independent living.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Usable Home Technology, Department of Psychology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK. A.Monk@psych.york.ac.uk
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monk
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hone
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lines
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dowdall
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blythe
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013672:Technology; D006113:United Kingdom