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A.Kämäräinen, N. González Vega, O. Kalla. Support to older people's independent living – social care expert's interests. In M. Penttonen & P. Pitkänen (Eds.), Psykologia2010, 18-20 August 2010, Jyväskylä, Finland Jyväskylä: Kopijyvä Oy, 44.
Abstract:
Background: Following a user-centred approach, the aim of this study was to gather health and social care experts’ perceptions in the design of ubiquitous care system and develop user requirements based on these.
Method: The information from health and social care experts was collected through focus groups in two stages. At the first stage, the questions concentrated on personal and institutional needs in daily living conditions. The other set of focus groups was conducted after the system’s technical specifications were more mature. At the second stage the questions concentrated on the technical characteristics of the system.
Results: The first stage results suggest four main user requirements derived from the data: easy to use, suitability, reliability and need for an alarm centre. In the second stage, the whole system was discussed. Discussion topics were: the overall system, portable device, tags and sensors, base station and alarm handling. In general, the possibility to live and feel independent without strict supervision was considered a positive aspect of CONFIDENCE. The attitude and support of home help services, nurses, and close relatives is very important. This support could influence how the older people accept the system and their willingness to purchase it. However, people’s cognitive decline or disabilities could represent a challenge for the operation of the system.
Discussion: We are aware that the sample is small and generalizations cannot be made. However, health and social care experts’ opinions are important sources of information for the development of the system, and eventually for accepting it once on the market.
