What do cognitively intact older people think about the use of electronic tracking devices for people with dementia? A preliminary analysis (original) (raw)
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Qualitative Health Research, 2010
in this study we examined the ethical aspects of the use of the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to track people with dementia. The findings are based on qualitative data gathered from focus groups of family and professional caregivers. The most important theme was the need to balance patients' need for safety with the need to preserve their autonomy and privacy. The main potential benefit of the use of GPS was related to the peace of mind of the caregivers themselves. The findings also suggest that caregivers' views change according to the locus of responsibility of the caregivers for the safety of people with dementia. The caregivers give preference to patients' safety more than autonomy when they are responsible for the patients. When the patients are under the responsibility of other caregivers, they give preference to patients' autonomy more than their safety. Overall, the variety and the depth of the views of different stakeholders toward the use of electronic tracking for people with dementia presented in this article provide a meaningful contribution to the ethical debate on this topic.
Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health, 2017
Family caregivers take on a responsible task when caring for people with dementia showing the phenomenon of wandering. Technical systems like Global Positioning Systems (GPS) could support them in this respect. So far, there are no empirical studies in the German-speaking area that illustrate the attitude and acceptance of family caregivers on this subject. The subjective perspective of the family caregivers has now been ascertained after a systematic literature review and the selection of a qualitative research design based on n=14 problem-centered interviews. As a result, family caregivers endorse the use of technical devices to ensure safe areas of movement for people with dementia in cases where the benefit is recognizable and the handling is uncomplicated. Ethical questions are a major challenge for family caregivers as they have to make decisions for people with dementia that conflicts with autonomy and safety.
Who should make the decision on the use of GPS for people with dementia?
Aging & Mental Health, 2011
Objectives: In recent years advanced technologies, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), allow for tracking of human spatial activity and provide the ability to intervene to manage that activity. The purpose of this study is to examine the issue of who should decide about the use of electronic tracking using GPS for people with dementia. Methods: Based on quantitative data collected from 296 participants comprising cognitively intact elderly, family caregivers of people with dementia, social workers, other professionals, and social work students, study participants were asked to rate nine different potential decision-makers to make this decision. Results: The results show that figures inside the family, particularly the spouse or the most involved family caregiver, were perceived more important in the decision-making process than figures outside the family, whereas the person with dementia was ranked third in the order of the figures. Since the decision to use GPS for tracking raises the ethical dilemma of personal safety versus autonomy and privacy of people with dementia, the findings seem to indicate that the reluctance of professional caregivers to assist family caregivers to make this decision is experienced as frustrating.
Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2021
Remote monitoring technology has taken a place in dementia caregiving by providing assistive tools such as tracking devices using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Nevertheless, caregivers' attitudes toward this technology are still inconclusive, and the factors leading up to their behavioral intent to use the technology remain unclear. Based on a survey of 202 dementia caregivers, our analysis with structural equation modeling demonstrates that care recipients' (i.e., persons with dementia) wandering, caregivers' concern, as well as caregivers' smartphone usage positively predict caregivers' behavioral intent to use GPS tracking devices. Meanwhile, social norm and perceived usefulness of technology mediate the relationship between individual attributes and behavioral intent. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, 2017
To explore the acceptability and value of three wearable GPS devices for older persons and individuals with a disability and safety concerns when accessing the community. This pilot study explored six wearers' and their support persons' experience of using three different wearable GPS devices (a pendant, watch, and mini GPS phone), each for a two-week period. Participants identified safety as the main value of using a wearable GPS device. The acceptability and value of these devices was strongly influenced by device features, ease of use, cost, appearance, the reliability of the GPS coordinates, the wearer's health condition and the users familiarity with technology. Overall, participants indicated that they preferred the pendant. Wearable GPS devices are potentially useful in providing individuals who have safety concerns with reassurance and access to assistance as required. To ensure successful utilization, future device design and device selection should consider the...
Utilization and Impacts of GPS Tracking in Healthcare: A Research Study for Elderly Care
International Journal of Computer Applications, 2012
This study provided awareness about the importance of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in healthcare. This research evaluated existing tracking devices for elderly people and identified the difficulties and possible solutions in the performance analysis. There were two GPS (global positioning system) tracking devices examined and tested by eight elderly subjects and a questionnaire survey filled at the end. The first device was simple and easier in handling while the second device has more features and slightly difficult in handling. These devices can potentially increase the privacy and raises self-motivation in elderly. Nevertheless, these devices were not suitable for (i) memory loss patients because they cannot handle these kinds of devices. (ii) A significant issue was also the maintenance of the device itself: who reminds the elderly patients about to use and who recharges the battery. This may create a similar situation as with the other use of telemedicine ...
Health Informatics Journal
As a result of several years of European funding, progressive introduction of assistive technologies in our society has provided many researchers and companies with opportunities to develop new information and communication technologies aimed at overcoming the digital divide of those at a greater risk of being left behind, as can be the case with healthy older people and those developing cognitive decline and dementia. Moreover, in recent years, when considering how information and communication technologies have been integrated into older people’s lives, and how technology has influenced these individuals, doubts remain regarding whether technologies really fulfil older users’ needs and wishes and whether technologies developed specifically for older users necessarily protect and consider main ethical values. In this article, we address the relevance of privacy, vulnerability and preservation of autonomy as key factors when involving older individuals as target users for informatio...
Assistive technologies for people with dementia: Ethical considerations
The sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 include a new target for global health: SDG 3 aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Dementia care of good quality is particularly important given the projected increase in the number of people living with the condition. A range of assistive technologies have been proposed to support dementia care. However, the World Health Organization estimated in 2017 that only one in 10 of the 1 billion or more people globally who could benefit from these technologies in some way actually has access to them. For people living with dementia, there has been little analysis of whether assistive technologies will support their human rights in ways that are consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The aim of this paper is to examine the relevant provisions of the convention and consider their implications for the use of assistive technologies in dementia care. Assistive technologies can clearly play an important role in supporting social engagement, decision-making and advance planning by people living with dementia. However, concerns exist that some of these technologies also have the potential to restrict freedom of movement and intrude into privacy. In conclusion, an analysis of the implications of assistive technologies for human rights laws is needed to ensure that technologies are used in ways that support human rights and help meet the health-related SDG 3.
International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2020
This study seeks to assess the perceptions and readiness of family carers of dementia patients in Ghana to recommend for use of healthcare wearable devices by dementia patients. Using a structured questionnaire, this study sampled and analyzed the views of 355 family carers from thirteen administrative regions of Ghana. The different perceptions of family carers on the use of healthcare wearable devices based on questions adapted from the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, were assessed using Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression. The results of the regression indicated that the model explained 75.4% of the variance of behavioral intention and was a significant predictor of family carers’ perception on the use of healthcare wearable devices by patients with dementia in Ghana. In terms of the individual contributions of family carers’ perceptions based on the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model’s indicators, all indicators contributed significantly to the model with p-values less than 0.05 except family carers’ perception on social influence and perception on resistance to change, which were not significant with p-values greater than 0.05. Despite concerns of insufficient disposable income of carers, and existence of inherent issues relating to safety, privacy and security of patients data in their quest to use healthcare wearable devices, our findings suggest that family carers in Ghana are willing and ready to recommend for use of healthcare wearable devices by dementia patients, which may consequently enhance their well-being and help satisfy their desire to live independently.