Informing the design of assistive technology through the discovery of the social, moral, and care values important in LGBTIQ+ eldercare

Abstract

Technology which assists human care is becoming increasingly prevalent in aged care. However, little research has been conducted on how LGBTIQ+ elderly can best be assisted through technology. LGBTIQ+ elders experience heightened loneliness in aged care 1. Some claim they are being forbidden from disclosing their sexuality and in some cases are restricted from seeing other residents, and there are no consequences for aged care providers that are not inclusive. This mixed-methods study began with an interpretivist pilot, interviewing five elders about their experiences with loneliness and ageing, their needs and values in care and their views on how socially connective assistive technology might mitigate loneliness. The analysis of the pilot interviews will be used to inform the subsequent survey design, as well as further interviewing and focus group stages. Key values discovered in the pilot study included social connectivity, community, respect, equality, equity, companionship, LGBTIQ+ connectivity, gender identity-based activities, and appreciating difference. Understanding these values better will ensure that assistive technology provides good care, that is, care which is person-centred and value sensitive, like good, human-delivered care is. In this way, this study helps to lay the groundwork for LGBTIQ+ focused assistive healthcare technology design. Subsequent stages of this research will be further informed through the partnership Charles Sturt University researchers have with Newcastle Pride (NP) who will provide ground-truthing and assist with co-design. NP is an inclusive, vibrant, and fun not-for-profit LGBTIQ+ community-based organisation which aims to make Newcastle and the Hunter a safer, happier, healthier, and more culturally rich place for all those in the LGBTIQ+ community.

Full text

Title
Informing the design of assistive technology through the discovery of the social, moral, and
care values important in LGBTIQ+ eldercare.
Authors
Adam Poulsen, Ivan Skaines, Suzanne McLaren and Oliver Burmeister
Abstract
Technology which assists human care is becoming increasingly prevalent in aged care.
However, little research has been conducted on how LGBTIQ+ elderly can best be assisted
through technology. LGBTIQ+ elders experience heightened loneliness in aged care1. Some
claim they are being forbidden from disclosing their sexuality and in some cases are restricted
from seeing other residents, and there are no consequences for aged care providers that are
not inclusive. This mixed-methods study began with an interpretivist pilot, interviewing five
elders about their experiences with loneliness and ageing, their needs and values in care and
their views on how socially connective assistive technology might mitigate loneliness. The
analysis of the pilot interviews will be used to inform the subsequent survey design, as well
as further interviewing and focus group stages. Key values discovered in the pilot study
included social connectivity, community, respect, equality, equity, companionship, LGBTIQ+
connectivity, gender identity-based activities, and appreciating difference. Understanding
these values better will ensure that assistive technology provides good care, that is, care
which is person-centred and value sensitive, like good, human-delivered care is. In this way,
this study helps to lay the groundwork for LGBTIQ+ focused assistive healthcare technology
design. Subsequent stages of this research will be further informed through the partnership
Charles Sturt University researchers have with Newcastle Pride (NP) who will provide
ground-truthing and assist with co-design. NP is an inclusive, vibrant, and fun not-for-profit
LGBTIQ+ community-based organisation which aims to make Newcastle and the Hunter a
safer, happier, healthier, and more culturally rich place for all those in the LGBTIQ+
community.
1 Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I. (2016). The Future of LGBT+ Aging: A Blueprint for Action in Services, Policies,
and Research. Generations (San Francisco, Calif.), 40(2), 6-15.
Hughes, M. (2016). Loneliness and social support among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
aged 50 and over. Ageing and Society, 36(9), 1961-1981. doi:10.1017/S0144686X1500080X