Perceptions of care home residents, families and staff about wearable devices: a scoping review

Abstract Purpose This scoping review explores perceptions of care home residents, staff and family members on the use of wearable devices—e.g. smartwatches, fall-detection devices, sensor-enabled clothing—in care homes, on the acceptability, perceived value, and implementation considerations. Methods We searched six databases. Two reviewers independently screened studies. Eligible studies reported stakeholders’ perceptions wearable devices used by older adults (65 +)§ in care homes. We followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Protocol registered on Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EJZ3S ). Key data were extracted and narratively summarised, then analysed using a deductive and inductive framework based on the research aims. Results Of 620 studies, 12 were included. Studies were mostly qualitative and varied in size ( n = 4–178) using a wide range of wearables: activity/sleep trackers ( N = 4); wireless monitoring ( N = 3); incontinence pad sensors (i = 2); posture-improving sensors ( N = 1); pressure injury prevention ( N = 1); contact tracing ( N = 1).Familiarity and aesthetics, including the potential of stigmatisation, influenced acceptability for residents and passive devices were deemed more suitable in cognitive impairment. Perceived value included reassurance for residents and family members. Devices could improve quality of life. Staff considered the potential impact on workload, and cost as potential implementation considerations. Conclusion There is limited literature on wearable device use in care homes, despite the rapid expansion of technology in this setting. Future research should focus on familiar devices that are not stigmatising, and are easy to use, with co-creation approaches and longer evaluation.