Family and friend caregiver satisfaction and utility of passive remote monitoring technology utilized by frail home care clients
Lori E. Weeks*, Grace Warner, Yu-Ting Chen, Bradley Hiebert, Emily Richard, Kathleen Ledoux, Lorie Donelle
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AbstractBackground: Passive remote monitoring technologies (RMT) utilize information gathered from sensors that is transmitted to a caregiver to alert them to a possible incident. There are gaps in our knowledge about the level of satisfaction with passive RMT from the perspective of those who have actual experience using this technology, including family and friend caregivers. This knowledge is important as caregivers are instrumental in determining whether passive RMT will be adopted and utilized over time. In addition, technologies designed for older adults and their caregivers are both helpful and user-friendly.
Objective: The aim of this research was to identify the level of satisfaction and utility of passive RMT from the perspective of family and friend caregivers of frail older adults who utilized the technology for a minimum of 90 days.
Method: Questionnaire data was collected through interviews with family and friend caregivers of frail home care clients who utilized passive RMT for at least 90 days. Participants could choose from an array of passive RMT sensors that met their needs (e.g., technologies that monitored falls, eating, sleeping, movement/lack of movement, washroom patterns, taking medications, and video cameras). Data reported included closed-ended questionnaires the type of sensors utilized, level of satisfaction with the type of sensor, usability, and satisfaction with passive RMT.
Results: Of the 80 participants, most participants were over age 60, female, lived with the home care client, and reported high levels of caregiver burden. Sensors to detect wandering were frequently utilized. The level of satisfaction across the various types of sensors ranged from a mean low of 4 for medication sensors (i.e., somewhat satisfied) with the rest scoring at least a mean of 4.5, indicating between somewhat satisfied and satisfied. The participants indicated a high level of utility of the technology, ranging from 3.4 to 5.5 with 6 indicating strongly agree.
Conclusion: The results of this research contribute to our scant knowledge about the high level of satisfaction and utility of passive RMT from those with real-life experience using this technology. Mechanisms should be investigated to support the implementation of passive RMT for caregivers of frail older adults.Keywords: sensors, community-dwelling, approval, value
Lori E. Weeks*, Grace Warner, Yu-Ting Chen, Bradley Hiebert, Emily Richard, Kathleen Ledoux, Lorie Donelle (2024). Family and friend caregiver satisfaction and utility of passive remote monitoring technology utilized by frail home care clients. Gerontechnology, 23(1), 1-9
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2024.23.1.1049.08