Using well-being technology in monitoring elderly people - a new service concept

OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATION AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY P.O. BOX 11000, FI-00076 AALTO http://www.aalto.fi Author Jori Reijula Name of the dissertation Using well-being technology in monitoring elderly people: a new service concept Manuscript submitted 27.5.2010 Manuscript revised 3.9.2010 Date of the defence 8.10.2010 Monograph Article dissertation (summary + original articles) Faculty Helsinki University of Technology Department Department of Electronics Field of research Applied electronics Opponent(s) Professor Sirkka-Liisa Kivelä and Professor Pekka Meriläinen Supervisor Professor Raimo Sepponen Instructor Professor Kari Reijula Abstract In this study, a new healthcare service concept for monitoring elderly people either at home or in care homes has been developed. As a part of this concept, a simple, but reliable device – Con-Dis – was developed to gain information on the general perceived well-being (PWB) condition of elderly people and on the perceived overall service quality level in care homes for the elderly. The device was tested in laboratory settings and has since been tested among elderly test subjects. Statistically significant correlations between PWB, mood and quality of life were found, but not with pain. Another test was also performed comparing the Con-Dis device with paper based questionnaire among elderly test subjects in assessing the correlation between the overall quality of service in care homes for the elderly and the food service, clean-up service, medication service, and service provided by the staff. No statistically significant correlations were found between any of the service quality parameters reported by using Con-Dis and paperbased questionnaire. This suggests that the test persons respond differently depending on the two response methods. The device was also used among elderly people along with blood pressure and heart rate monitors and pedometers. A statistically significant correlation was found between PWB and time spent outdoors, but not with blood pressure levels. The Con-Dis device proved technically reliable, functional, feasible, and informative throughout the development phase and field studies. It can thus be recommended as a part of the new service concept for preventive monitoring purposes for people belonging to risk groups such as the elderly people living either at home or in care homes.In this study, a new healthcare service concept for monitoring elderly people either at home or in care homes has been developed. As a part of this concept, a simple, but reliable device – Con-Dis – was developed to gain information on the general perceived well-being (PWB) condition of elderly people and on the perceived overall service quality level in care homes for the elderly. The device was tested in laboratory settings and has since been tested among elderly test subjects. Statistically significant correlations between PWB, mood and quality of life were found, but not with pain. Another test was also performed comparing the Con-Dis device with paper based questionnaire among elderly test subjects in assessing the correlation between the overall quality of service in care homes for the elderly and the food service, clean-up service, medication service, and service provided by the staff. No statistically significant correlations were found between any of the service quality parameters reported by using Con-Dis and paperbased questionnaire. This suggests that the test persons respond differently depending on the two response methods. The device was also used among elderly people along with blood pressure and heart rate monitors and pedometers. A statistically significant correlation was found between PWB and time spent outdoors, but not with blood pressure levels. The Con-Dis device proved technically reliable, functional, feasible, and informative throughout the development phase and field studies. It can thus be recommended as a part of the new service concept for preventive monitoring purposes for people belonging to risk groups such as the elderly people living either at home or in care homes.