Guiding Persons With Dementia Back Home Using GPS Technology: Assessment of the TalkMeHome Approach from the Perspective of the User
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Abstract
Jan Nauta, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Lammie van den Bosch, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Henri ter Hofte, Novay, Enschede, The Netherlands
Marike Hettinga, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Background: A problem commonly encountered in people with dementia is wandering. Not only can this be distressful or even dangerous for the people concerned, but often it is felt as a burden for their informal carers. A number of studies have shown that the application of GPS technology can be helpful. It is common practice to provide the person with dementia (PwD) with a tracking device so, that his or her location can be shown on a map. Usually a web application is used to show the position of the PwD. This allows a carer to go to the PwD and bring him or her back home. Obviously, this approach is not applicable if the carer is unable to go to the PwD. Then the TalkMeHome approach presented here can be an outcome. In this approach an employee of a care centre will verbally instruct the PwD how to get home, while tracking the PwD with the help of GPS technology. The aim of the project consortium is to structurally embed the TalkMeHome service in the daily care of PwDs by means of commercial exploitation. This consortium consists of both partners in communication technology (Verklizan BV), care organizations (Carint Reggeland Groep), and knowledge and research institutes (Novay, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences). This project is part of the program “Economische Innovatie†of the province of Overijssel.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the quality of service of the TalkMeHome approach. In particular, the communication between the PwD and the employee of the care centre is studied as well as their interaction with the equipment. Moreover, the attractiveness of this service for PwDs and their informal carers will be taken into account.
Methods: The study started by carrying out desk research to identify relevant issues in advance. Subsequently, experiments were carried out by team members to gain further insight into the quality of service of the TalkMeHome approach. Only after that a limited number of PwDs and their carers were invited to take part in a field study in which employees of a care centre guide PwDs back home. Data is collected by observation, logging, and interviews with both PwDs and their informal carers.
Results: Insights from the desk research and results of the experiments carried out by the team members will be presented. The field study with PwDs and the interviews with them and their informal carers will start in October 2010. Preliminary results of these tests and interviews will be given.
Conclusions: Preliminary conclusions from the desk research and the results of the experiments and tests will be presented.
Lammie van den Bosch, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Henri ter Hofte, Novay, Enschede, The Netherlands
Marike Hettinga, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Background: A problem commonly encountered in people with dementia is wandering. Not only can this be distressful or even dangerous for the people concerned, but often it is felt as a burden for their informal carers. A number of studies have shown that the application of GPS technology can be helpful. It is common practice to provide the person with dementia (PwD) with a tracking device so, that his or her location can be shown on a map. Usually a web application is used to show the position of the PwD. This allows a carer to go to the PwD and bring him or her back home. Obviously, this approach is not applicable if the carer is unable to go to the PwD. Then the TalkMeHome approach presented here can be an outcome. In this approach an employee of a care centre will verbally instruct the PwD how to get home, while tracking the PwD with the help of GPS technology. The aim of the project consortium is to structurally embed the TalkMeHome service in the daily care of PwDs by means of commercial exploitation. This consortium consists of both partners in communication technology (Verklizan BV), care organizations (Carint Reggeland Groep), and knowledge and research institutes (Novay, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences). This project is part of the program “Economische Innovatie†of the province of Overijssel.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the quality of service of the TalkMeHome approach. In particular, the communication between the PwD and the employee of the care centre is studied as well as their interaction with the equipment. Moreover, the attractiveness of this service for PwDs and their informal carers will be taken into account.
Methods: The study started by carrying out desk research to identify relevant issues in advance. Subsequently, experiments were carried out by team members to gain further insight into the quality of service of the TalkMeHome approach. Only after that a limited number of PwDs and their carers were invited to take part in a field study in which employees of a care centre guide PwDs back home. Data is collected by observation, logging, and interviews with both PwDs and their informal carers.
Results: Insights from the desk research and results of the experiments carried out by the team members will be presented. The field study with PwDs and the interviews with them and their informal carers will start in October 2010. Preliminary results of these tests and interviews will be given.
Conclusions: Preliminary conclusions from the desk research and the results of the experiments and tests will be presented.
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