Older People Abuse in China: How Can Technologies Help?

Nanny-induced elder abuse is a persistent issue in China. Unlike certified nurses and care workers who undergo extensive evaluation processes, elder-care nannies or "bao mu" often have little to no professional training. Background screening procedures are also highly variable and selective, depending on the specific labour agencies involved. This paper aims to discuss technologies with the potential to detect, prevent, and reduce nanny-induced elder abuse.

This study reviews existing literature and case reports to explore how digital technologies-such as surveillance cameras and smart wearables-have been used to uncover and monitor elder abuse in home care settings. It also examines policy gaps and technological interventions relevant to the Chinese context.

Recent discoveries of elder abuse in China-including verbal, physical, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse-have primarily come to light through the use of digital surveillance. Smart technologies, from home-care robots to network monitoring systems, have all demonstrated potential in alerting families and caregivers to abnormal and abusive behaviors by hired care professionals like nannies. However, while surveillance technologies can play an important role in detecting and documenting elder abuse by nannies, they are regarded as limited technical aids rather than comprehensive solutions. Overreliance on monitoring devices may generate a series of ethical and social concerns.

While systemic reforms like mandatory training and evaluation procedures may take time to implement, technological solutions such as surveillance and wearable monitoring offer relatively cost-effective, immediate tools to address elder abuse. However, ethical considerations-particularly regarding privacy and data security-must be rigorously upheld to protect older people's digital health rights.