ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptance of Global Positioning System (GPS) used to help people with dementia, who are at risk for wandering in their communities. We used a mixed methods research approach that included use logs, pre and post paper-based questionnaires, and focus groups. Forty-five client-caregiver pairs (dyads) were included to use one of the GPS devices for an average of 5.8 months over a 1-year period. GPS acceptance was high; dyads were likely to continue using the GPS. According to the participants, the GPS provided caregivers peace of mind and reduced anxiety in dyads when clients got lost.
Acknowledgments
We thank the following individuals who assisted with data collection and data entry: Kristen Rabel, Cassandra Greenhough, Julia Mills, Karen Nabuurs, Teanna Mattchett, Peyman Azad Khaneghah, and Pranshu Arora.
Notes
Binomial probability formula to determine the sample size needed is based on the chance of seeing the problem and its occurrence: log (1-Chance of Detecting)/log (1-Probability of Occurring).
In case of nonindependence, only one model was run (caregiver model).