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

The overall aim was to describe how persons with dementia (PwDs) reflect on being outdoors and to investigate the support provided by a passive positioning alarm (PPA) in making daily life safer for PwDs and their spouses. Repeated conversations were held with 11 PwDs living in their own homes regarding their reflections on being outdoors (Study I). Interview study with 14 spouses to a person with dementia (PwD) with their reflections on different kinds of information and communication technology (ICT) devices that were used or can be used in the daily care of PwDs (Study II). An ethnographic approach with participant observations and conversations with five couples, a PwD and his/her spouse, describing and exploring their use and experiences of using a PPA, over time, in daily life (Study III). An experimental single-case ABAB-design with three cases, a PwD and his spouse, investigating the effects of using tracking technology on independent outdoor activities and psychological well-being (Study IV). In summary, the results of the thesis show that being outdoors was described by the PwDs as a confirmation of their identity, the `Self´. The use of ICT in daily care of PwDs was described by the spouses as shifting between their own needs for safety and security and the perceived need for safety and security from the perspective of the PwD. The use of a PPA in daily life among PwDs living in their own homes can give a sense of freedom, support and strengthen the feeling of independence for both PwDs and their spouses as well as give a feeling of safety and security for them both. Use of the PPA may also increase PwDs’ independent outdoor activities and decrease spouses’ worries