Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

We describe the process of installing a monitoring system in the homes of 19 families who were caring for a relative with dementia, and evaluating the use of the system for 24 weeks. The system is Internet-based and consists of cameras and sensors that are routed through a controller unit via a broadband-connected computer to a web site. From the web site, text messages indicating sensor activity are sent to a cell phone that alerts caregivers to activity in the home. Specifically, we discuss ‘behind the scenes’ issues associated with bundling the various technologies together and installing and maintaining the technologies in caregivers’ homes, describe the challenges that caregivers confronted while using the technology, and summarize caregivers’ experiences with the technologies over the 24-week assessment period. Results indicate that, although the use of technology is not without challenge, it has the potential to facilitate family caregiving.

Keywords

caregiving and technology dementia caregiving in-home caregiving

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Agree, E. , & Freedman, V.A. (2003). A comparison of assistive technology and personal care in alleviating disability and unmet need . The Gerontologist, 43(3), 335-344 .

Beauchamp, T. , & Childress, J. (1994). Principles of biomedical ethics (4th edn). New York: Oxford University Press .

Charness, N. , & Schaie, K.W. (Eds.). (2003). Impact of technology on successful aging. New York: Springer .

Eisdorfer, C. , Czaja, S.J. , Lowenstein, D.A. , Rubert, M.P. , Arguelles, S. , Mitrani, V.B. , et al. (2003). The effect of a family therapy and technology-based intervention on caregiver depression . The Gerontologist, 43(4), 521-531 .

Gitlin, L.N. (2002). Assistive technology in the home and community for older people: Psychological and social considerations. In Marcia J. Scherer (Ed.), Assistive technology:Matching device and consumer for successful rehabilitation (pp. 109-122). Washington DC: American Psychological Association .

Kinney, J.M. , Kart, C.S. , Murdoch, L.D. , & Ziemba, T.F. (2003). Challenges in caregiving and creative solutions using technology to facilitate caring for a relative with dementia . Ageing International, 28(3), 295-313 .

Mahoney, D.F. , Tarlow, B.J. , & Jones, R.N. (2003). Effects of an automated telephone support system on caregiver burden and anxiety: Findings from the REACH for TLC intervention study . The Gerontologist, 43(4), 556-568 .

Mattis, S. (1973). Dementia Rating Scale. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources .

Mattis, S. (1988). DRS Dementia Rating Scale professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources .

10.

MetLife Mature Market Institute (2002). MetLife market survey on nursing home and home care costs 2002, Westport, CT: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company .

11.

Olsen, D.P. (1998). Ethical considerations of video monitoring psychiatric patients in seclusion and restraint . Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 12(2), 90-94 .

12.

Parmelee, P.A. , & Lawton, M.P. (1990). The design of special environments for the aged. In J.E. Birren & K.W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (3rd edn) (pp. 464-488). San Diego, CA: Academic Press, Inc.

13.

Pearlin, L.I. , Mullan, J.T. , Semple, S.J. , & Skaff, M.M. (1990). Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures . The Gerontologist, 30(5), 583-594 .

14.

Pinquart, M. , & Soerensen, S. (2003). Associations of stressors and uplifts of caregiving with caregiver burden and depressive mood: A meta-analysis . Journal of Gerontology:Psychological Sciences, 58(2), 112-128 .

15.

Radloff, L.S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population . Applied Psychological Measures, 1(3), 385-401 .

16.

Schulz, R. , Belle, S.H. , Czaja, S.J. , Gitlin, L.N. , Wisniewski, S.R. , & Ory, M.G. (2003). Introduction to the special section on resources for enhancing alzheimer’s caregiver health (REACH) . Psychology and Aging, 18(3), 357-360 .

17.

Schulz, R. , Burgio, L. , Burns, R. , Eisdorfer, C. , Gallagher-Thompson, D. , Gitlin, L.N. , & Mahoney, D.F. (2003). Resources for enhancing alzheimer’s caregiver health (REACH): Overview, site-specific outcomes, and future directions . The Gerontologist, 43(4), 514-520 .

18.

Welsh, S. , Hassiotis, A. , O’Mahoney, G. , & Deahl, M. (2003). Big brother is watching you - the ethical implications of electronic surveillance measures in the elderly with dementia and in adults with learning difficulties . Aging & Mental Health, 7(5), 372-375 .

Striving to Provide Safety Assistance for Families of Elders

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References