• Skip to navigation
  • Skip to content
Ulster University logo Return to Ulster University homepage
  • Global students – Resources for Ulster University International Students
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Student Guide - The Student Guide to Ulster
  • Portal - for Ulster University
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • News – for Ulster University
  • Events – for Ulster University
  • Home - Ulster University website homepage
  • Study at Ulster University

    Study options

    • Study in Northern Ireland
    • Undergraduate study options
    • Postgraduate study options
    • Postgraduate Research/ PhD
    • Short courses and CPD
    • Part-time Undergraduate study options
    • Part-time study options
    • eLearning study at Ulster University

    Courses

    • Search for courses
    • A to Z 2023/24
    • A to Z 2022/23

    More information

    • Entrance requirements
    • Equivalence of qualifications
    • Your rights and obligations
    • International students
    • Further education students
    • Associate students
  • Campus Life at Ulster University

    Campus Life

    • Campuses
    • Accommodation - Residential Services
    • Sport Services
    • Students' Union UUSU
    • All Ulster University Events

    Support

    • Student Guide
    • Student Wellbeing
    • Digital Services
    • Library

    Careers and Opportunities

    • Employability and Careers
    • Go Global
    • Science Shop
    • Student Enterprise
  • Research & Impact

    Research & Impact

    • Our research
    • Collaboration and Innovation
    • Work with us
    • Our Research Topics
    • Our Research Teams

    PhD/Research degrees

    • Funded & Self Funded PhDs
    • Postgraduate Research Programmes
    • How to apply for PhD Research
    • Funding for Phd's
    • Contact the Doctoral College

    More information

    • PURE - research portal
    • REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
    • Policies and Procedures
  • Business themed areas of Ulster University

    Work with Us

    • Recruit top talent
    • Business School student placements
    • Scholarships, sponsorships and corporate giving
    • Upskill courses by Sector

    Business Engagement

    • Build a course
    • Executive Education Courses
    • Apprenticeship Hub
    • Business leader Peer Mentoring
    • Postgraduate short courses

    Research Expertise

    • Work with us
    • Funding opportunities
    • Innovation Ulster Ltd
    • Case studies
    • Meet the team

    Further Information

    • Market information
    • Hire one of our venues
  • Graduates of Ulster University
  • Home - Go to homepage
  • Study Options at Ulster University
  • Find a course at Ulster University
  • Campus Life
  • Research & Impact at Ulster University
  • Business at Ulster University
  • Graduates - find out about Alumni and Supporters at Ulster University
  • Global Students – become part of our global community at Ulster University

  • Student Guide
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • Portal – customise and access your online services

  •   Twitter account for Ulster University
  •   Facebook account for Ulster University
  •   YouTube account for Ulster University
Ulster University
  • Search
  • Link for Ulster University
  • Link for News
  • Link for 2017
  • Link for May
10 May 2017

Ulster University dementia research reveals support for video surveillance technology

Ulster University dementia research reveals support for video surveillance technology

A research study by Ulster University has revealed significant support for the use of video surveillance technology in the homes of those living with dementia to safeguard their health and safety, providing considerations of privacy and consent are taken into account.

With the number of people living with dementia worldwide set to rise to 136 million by 2050, Ulster University’s research explored ethical considerations around the use of camera-based systems. The use of video monitoring in the home has been suggested as one way that families can be reassured that a person living with dementia is safe whilst affording them independence.

As part of Ulster University’s research, people living with dementia and their carers across Northern Ireland took part in a number of focus groups, facilitated by Age NI, to express their views on the ethics of using assistive technology such as video surveillance in the home.

Ulster University’s research indicated conditional acceptance of a video camera in the home of a person living with dementia, with over 90 per cent of participants supporting its use. Participants suggested that it was useful, ethical and moral, providing consent is in place from the person living with the dementia.

Lead researcher from Ulster University, Professor Maurice Mulvenna, said:

“Ulster University is pioneering research into connected health interventions that have the potential to enhance the quality of life for the millions of people across the globe who are living with or affected by dementia.

“There are a number of clear benefits of camera-based technology for both those living with dementia and their carers. It helps those with dementia to live more independently at home for longer while providing peace of mind for their family in terms of their wellbeing.

“This Ulster University research highlights support for the technology, however, it also indicates a need to define home video surveillance clearly so that both carers and those living with dementia are aware of how it works in practice. Our research also found that participants felt that the real-time surveillance or recordings should only be available to family members for review.

“There is much research to be done in this area in order to find a balance between privacy and overall value when it comes to home surveillance of people living with dementia. This Ulster University research is a step in the right direction. Our next steps are to use these findings to seek new research funding to explore video surveillance and its value to family caregivers."

Maura McClean, Engagement Manager at Age NI, said:

“Age NI is committed tocreating a world where everyone can enjoy a better later life and remain as independent as possible with their dignity and rights respected. We are passionate about ensuring the voices of older people shape and influence research practice and policy.’’

Age NI has produced a summary of the pilot research study which has been distributed to older people who took part in the research.


Share Article:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn

Related news

  1. Wed 06 Jul 2022

    Allstate NI and Ulster University partner to celebrate outstanding individuals and their impact on society

  2. Tue 05 Jul 2022

    International student lands dream job with top chef

  3. Mon 04 Jul 2022

    Applications open for Distinguished Education Excellence Awards 2022 as Celebration held for 2021 Winners

Elsewhere on Ulster

Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

Ulster University Business School- Faculty

Courses & Research

  • Search for courses
  • Undergraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Postgraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Part-time courses at Ulster University
  • Short courses & CPD at Ulster University
  • Study online at Ulster University
  • Research & Impact
  • Doctoral College
  • PURE Research Portal

Campus locations

  • Belfast campus
  • Coleraine campus
  • Jordanstown campus
  • Magee campus
  • London and Birmingham
  • Qatar

Campus facilities

  • Residential Services / Accommodation
  • Sports Services - Memberships and Facilities
  • Library Services and resources supporting learning, teaching and research at the University

About The University

  • About Ulster University
  • Contact Details
  • Job opportunities
  • Key calendar dates
  • Faculties at Ulster University
  • News - Ulster University
  • Events - Ulster University

Other sites

  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Confucius Institute
  • Get advice from Employability and Careers
  • Finance Department
  • Flexible Education
  • Digital Services - computing, digital and media services
  • People & Culture
  • Student Wellbeing
  • Sustainability

Ulster University social

@StudyAtUlster Follow us on Twitter @UlsterUni Follow us on Twitter
/studyatulster /ulsteruniversity
/StudyAtUlster /UlsterUniversity
/ulsteruni
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statements
  • Copyright
  • Freedom of Information
  • Modern Slavery Statement

© Copyright Ulster University 2022.

Ulster University is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC100166).