Attitudes of family and professional caregivers towards the use of GPS for people with dementia

What do cognitively intact older people think about the use of electronic tracking devices for people with dementia? A preliminary analysis

“…The finding that the decision regarding the use of tracking devices should be an intra-family decision is in accord with findings from our previous study on the attitudes of family and professional caregivers (Landau et al, 2009). Apparently, the participants were also considering the patients' family interests (Brudney, 2009).…”

“…First, a structured questionnaire was used to measure attitudes toward the use of GPS for tracking persons with dementia. The instrument and its characteristics have been described in detail in a previous manuscript (Landau et al, 2009). Briefly, the instrument includes three main parts.…”

“…Attitudes of family and professional caregivers towards the use of electronic tracking vary (Landau et al, 2009). In one study, the person with dementia was ranked third among nine figures who might make the decision whether to use GPS tracking devices.…”

Who should make the decision on the use of GPS for people with dementia?

“…Based on the ideas raised in the groups and a comprehensive literature review, a structured selfadministered questionnaire was constructed to measure attitudes toward the use of GPS for tracking persons with dementia (Landau et al, 2009), and to rate the importance of various figures or of a team to be involved in the decision regarding the use of GPS for persons with dementia. In this analysis, we report the sample's ratings of a number of figures who can make Aging & Mental Health 79 the decision whether to use GPS for persons with dementia.…”

“…In their views, this could be particularly important if the professional is someone the patient knows and trusts. However, many professionals prefer not to be involved in decisions such as whether or not to use electronic tracking devices for people with dementia and would at most be willing to mention the availability of such devices to patients and their families (Landau, Werner, Auslander, Shoval, & Heinik, 2009).…”