Abstract
Purpose The behavioural activity pattern is a behavioural and biological 24-hour rhythm. Ageing, diseases and memory disorders can change this pattern. Home care staff can utilize knowledge about the behavioural activity pattern of elderly home care clients in many ways. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether home care staff could identify the behavioural activity pattern of elderly home care clients using activity sensors, namely, actigraphs and motion sensors, could identify the behavioural activity rhythms. Materials and methods A total of four elderly home care clients and one elderly home rehabilitation client took part in the study. The participants wore actigraphs on their wrist and motion sensors were installed in their apartment. In addition to sensor data, home care staff answered one open-ended question during each home care visit. The data collection period was two weeks. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the analysis. Results The behavioural activity pattern was easy to identify from the motion sensor data, whereas actigraph data were difficult to interpret. The home care staff members’ answers to open-ended questions reinforced the reliability of motion sensor data. Conclusions Motion sensors are relatively cheap, unobtrusive and reliable way to identify and detect changes in the behavioural activity patterns of elderly home care clients. Implications for rehabilitation Motion sensors are cheap, user-friendly and highly accepted technology for identifying and monitoring behavioural activity rhythm. Home care staff members can use the data about elderly home care client's behavioural activity rhythm to monitor deviations to the rhythm and detect changes in client's health. The information about behavioural activity rhythm can also be utilized in planning home care visits and interventions
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.