The Lighthouse Alarm and Locator trial - a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Informatics
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Maintaining mobility and activity is crucial for elderly health.
• User-friendly positioning devices require integration of geographical information systems (GIS) technology and user experiences.
• Existing alarm systems often lack advanced features like location tracking and vital sign monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel mobile alarm system incorporating positioning and vital sign monitoring for elderly individuals.
• To assess user experiences and perceptions of the system among elderly users and home care personnel.
• To explore the ethical considerations surrounding location-based monitoring in elder care.

Main Methods:

• A trial involving elderly participants and home care personnel tested a new mobile alarm and locator system.
• Qualitative interviews were conducted with both elderly users and care personnel after the trial period.
• Data analysis focused on identifying key themes and experiences related to the system's functionality.

Main Results:

• Elderly participants' experiences were categorized into feeling supervised, feeling safe, and increased mobility.
• The system was perceived by users to enhance their ability to be mobile.
• Home care personnel expressed ethical reservations regarding the positioning functionality, contrasting with the elderly users' acceptance.

Conclusions:

• The integration of positioning technology in alarm systems presents an ethical dilemma, balancing perceived benefits of mobility and safety against privacy concerns.
• Elderly users generally viewed the positioning feature positively, associating it with enhanced independence and security.
• Further research is needed to address the ethical challenges and optimize the implementation of such assistive technologies in elder care settings.