Daily life of persons with dementia and their spouses supported by a passive positioning alarm

Sammanfattning: The overall aim was to describe how persons with dementia (PwDs) reflecton being outdoors and to investigate the support provided by a passivepositioning alarm (PPA) in making daily life safer for PwDs and theirspouses.Repeated conversations were held with 11 PwDs living in their own homesregarding their reflections on being outdoors (Study I). Interview study with14 spouses to a person with dementia (PwD) with their reflections on differentkinds of information and communication technology (ICT) devicesthat were used or can be used in the daily care of PwDs (Study II). An ethnographicapproach with participant observations and conversations withfive couples, a PwD and his/her spouse, describing and exploring their useand experiences of using a PPA, over time, in daily life (Study III). An experimentalsingle-case ABAB-design with three cases, a PwD and hisspouse, investigating the effects of using tracking technology on independentoutdoor activities and psychological well-being (Study IV).In summary, the results of the thesis show that being outdoors was describedby the PwDs as a confirmation of their identity, the `Self´. The useof ICT in daily care of PwDs was described by the spouses as shifting betweentheir own needs for safety and security and the perceived need forsafety and security from the perspective of the PwD. The use of a PPA indaily life among PwDs living in their own homes can give a sense of freedom,support and strengthen the feeling of independence for both PwDsand their spouses as well as give a feeling of safety and security for themboth. Use of the PPA may also increase PwDs’ independent outdoor activitiesand decrease spouses’ worries.