Effects of Tracking Technology on Daily Life of Persons With Dementia

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of using tracking technology on independent outdoor activities and psychological well-being in 3 persons with dementia (PwDs) and their spouses. Methods: Three experimental single-case studies with an A1B1A2B2 design. The intervention entailed access to a passive positioning alarm and technical support. Continual daily measures of independent outdoor activities among PwDs’ and spouses’ worries about these activities were made during all phases. Results: Access to a tracking technology consistently increased the independent outdoor activities of 2 PwDs. One of the spouses consistently reported decreased worry during B phases, another’s worry decreased only in B2, and the third showed little variability in worrying across all phases. Conclusion: Tracking technology may support PwDs to engage in independent outdoor activities and decrease spouses’ worries; however, randomized controlled group studies are needed to investigate whether these results can be replicated on a group level.