Activity monitoring technology to support homecare delivery to frail and psychogeriatric elderly persons living at home alone

Abstract

Background:

Independent living may become a threat for frail elderly persons when their situation deteriorates. Formal and informal caregivers often worry about the safety of the elderly person living alone. Activity monitoring may be assistive in home care delivery.

Objective:

A pilot study was conducted to examine potential effects of the activity monitoring system ‘QuietCare’ on clients, formal and informal caregivers.

Methods:

QuietCare registers activities of daily living. Questionnaires were used to assess amongst others the degree of experienced independence, quality of life and health status among clients ( $\mathit{n}=19$ ) at T0, three (T1) and six months of follow-up (T2). Informal caregivers ( $\mathit{n}=16$ ) completed questionnaires on objective and subjective burden. Formal caregivers ( $\mathit{n}=16$ ) completed questionnaires on labour satisfaction and experiences with QuietCare.

Results:

No significant changes were found on the client questionnaires. A significant decrease in subjective burden of informal caregivers was found between T0 and T2 ( $\mathit{p}=0.03$ ). Formal caregivers stated that QuietCare enabled them to provide more tailored care.

Conclusion:

Activity monitoring may be effective in supporting informal caregivers in care delivery to frail elderly people living alone by reducing subjective burden. Activity monitoring is a promising assistive technology to support frail elderly people to live longer independently.