The Lighthouse Alarm and Locator trial - A pilot study

  • Authors:

  • A. Melander-Wikman;M. Jansson;J. Hallberg;C. Mö/rtberg;G. Gard

  • Affiliations:

  • (Correspd. Tel.: +46 920 491 000/ E-mail: anita.melander-wikman@ltu.se) Department of Health Sciences, Luleå/ University of Technology, Luleå/, Sweden;Department of Business Administration and Social Sciences, Luleå/ University of Technology, Luleå/, Sweden;Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Luleå/ University of Technology, Luleå/, Sweden;Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway/University of Umeå/, Sweden and Department of Human Work Sciences, Luleå/ University of Technology, Luleå/, Sweden;epartment of Health Sciences, Luleå/ University of Technology, Luleå/, Sweden

  • Venue:
  • Technology and Health Care
  • Year:
  • 2007

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Abstract

An important factor for health is the possibility to be active and mobile. To make this possible various kinds of support are needed. Integrating geographical information systems technology and user experiences is important in the development of more user-friendly positioning devices. The Lighthouse Alarm and Locator trial aimed to test a new mobile alarm system with additional functionality such as positioning and monitoring of vital signs which can be used regardless of location (in hospital, at home). The system was tested by elderly persons from a pensioner organisation and home care personnel answered up on the alarms. After the tests qualitative interviews were performed with the two groups. The results showed that their experiences of the new mobile alarm system could be described in three main categories: to be supervised, to feel safe and to be mobile. These categories formed a theme: Positioning - an ethical dilemma. The clients' mobility was perceived to increase. The personnel did not think that positioning was ethical but the clients (elderly) did.