Project factsheet

In this project the Norwegian Computing Centre was commissioned by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, Department of Assistive Technology to conduct an interview study with family members of dementia patients who use localization equipment. The main focus has been on perceived user friendliness, usability and usefulness. Seven family members were interviewed about their experience with assistive technology used for localization purposes. In addition they completed the QUEST 2.0 questionnaire which measures satisfaction when using AT.

Project planning, implementation, analysis, report writing and dissemination. The methods used are semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey.

The findings will add to the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, Department of Assistive Technology's knowledge about the use of localization technology by providing essential information about practical user experiences with location technology in dementia. This may assist them in making informed decisions about future measures to be taken in their management and administration of this type of assistive technology.

The findings will shed light on the practical experiences people using this type of technology have experienced. This may benefit the public debate on the use of localization technology in the care of persons with dementia. It may be of interest to many groups, e.g. dementia sufferer´s and their families, health personnel and the health authorities, procurers, bureaucrats, industry, researchers and other stakeholders and other interested parties.

This limited exercise has showed that the informants by and large find their localization solutions easy to use, and that the equipment is very useful when locating their family members when required. All report an increased feeling of security and freedom, and using the equipment has had a positive impact on their overall situation. Some difficulties when using the devices are reported, but most of the informants report that the equipment works as it is supposed to for the majority of the time. Some of the difficulties encountered are related to system stability, secure fastening of the device to the person with dementia, impractical size of the device, not adequate detail of the localization maps, some user interface issues, in addition to general weaknesses with GPS-technology, i.e. does not function indoors. There are a number of particular challenges encountered when using the equipment together with staff in the health service. It is great variation in how the equipment is used, and in some families the different tasks are split between several family members when conducting a localization. All informants only use the most basic localization functions. Most of the interviewees state that although they have received a minimum of amount of training in use, this has been adequate. Many of the informants are satisfied with the support provided by the distributing companies. One of the families had to be self reliant on training, set up and support as this was not available for the product they had chosen. There is agreement between the findings from the interviews and QUEST 2.0. It is an unambiguous wish from the informants that there is a need for a publicly run service which can inform, assist and guide potential buyers of localization AT. Currently it is somewhat arbitrary what sort of equipment is being obtained, and this can affect whether or not one ends up with suitable equipment matching needs and prerequisites for use. Further the informants state that such equipment should be funded by the public. There is a need for further research and development on the use of localization technology. Issues such as security and privacy protection, use in the public health sector and more elaborate and comprehensive usability studies needs to be addressed.