Safety versus privacy : elderly persons' experiences of a mobile safety alarm

• PURPOSE: The purpose was to develop and test mobile information and communication technology (mICT), in the form of a mobile safety alarm, and to explore how this mobile safety alarm was experienced from an empowerment perspective. RELEVANCE: Future demographic development means an increased elderly population in Sweden. One of the greatest challenges for a society with an ageing population is to provide high-quality health and social care. Many elderly people stay active and healthy at higher ages; however, an increased mean age does not always mean increased health. The demographic development is often described as a huge problem but there is also an approach where "the elderly boom", seen as a cluster, also can be seen as an opportunity for growth. New information and communication technology (ICT) and services aiming at the improvement of the health, comfort and safety of elderly people are being developed and tested. From research it is well known that dimensions of empowerment have an impact on preserving health; and it is also important for the individual to feel safe. In order to enable elderly people to stay at home as long as possible, various kinds of assisted technology are often used: safety alarms are common and are used by elderly people and also by those with functional limitations. PARTICIPANTS: The participants that tested the mobile safety alarm were five elderly people with functional limitation (for example, after a stroke) and four healthy elderly people from a pensioners' organisation. METHODS: The methodology used was an intervention with a mobile alarm containing a drop sensor and a positioning device, as well as qualitative interviews with the research persons. ANALYSIS: In order to analyse the results, qualitative content analysis was used. RESULTS: The result showed that the mobile safety alarm that was developed and tested was seen as offering increased opportunity for mobility, both in terms of being able to be more active and as an aid to self-determination. The fact that the test participants were located by means of the positioning device was not experienced as violating privacy as long as it was clear that the person her/himself could decide to use the alarm. The mobile safety alarm that was tested was a prototype in development and the research persons saw themselves as participants closely and actively involved in the development process, who contributed their recommendations for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions that can be drawn are that it is important for elderly persons to actively participate in the development process of new assistive technologies. In development, methodologies for empowerment of the elderly should be used. IMPLICATIONS: Mobile safety alarms can in the future make it easier for elderly persons to be active and mobile and this might increase the options for elderly people to stay healthy.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Sjukgymnastik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Physiotherapy (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Elderly

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Mobility

Privacy

Safety

Sjukgymnastik

Physiotherapy

Industrial Work Environment

Industriell produktionsmiljö

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