Using GPS technology to promote inclusion for people ... · Using GPS technology to promote...
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Using GPS technology to
promote inclusion for people
living with dementia. Presented by Helena Cromb
Alzheimer’s Australia WA
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Key objectives
• Importance of social inclusion for people
living with dementia
• Development and use of GPS technology
to support social inclusion
• Future possibilities
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Facts about being lost…
50% of people who are lost for more than 12 hours are
found seriously injured or dead
A police search can cost up to $300,000+ when looking for
a missing person
Up to 40% of people with dementia will become lost at
some time
Becoming lost can lead to premature admission into
residential care facilities
Major stress for carers when their loved one is lost
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How do we support people
living with dementia (PLWD)?
• Promote safe walking and social inclusion within the
community
• Provide peace of mind to carers/family members
• Promote independence and physical and emotional wellbeing
• Delay early admission into residential care facility
• Locate PLWD when they become lost and reduce cost to the
community
GPS technology
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Social inclusion
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• Provides a sense of well being
• Enables quality of life as humans are social
beings
• Promotes participation and meaningful roles
within community, family and others
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How does GPS technology
promote social inclusion?
• Confidence
• Autonomy
• Independence
• Quality of life
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Safe2Walk development
• Commenced 2007
• Reviewed existing devices and services
around the world
• Formed partnership with WA based GPS
company
• Commenced development of dementia
specialist device and web based interface
• Launched service in WA in March 2009,
Sydney Sept 2009, Victoria in 2010
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The following barriers were identified during the pilot study:
• Complexity: Requires simple one button function
• Cost: Needs to be affordable
• Reliability: To reduce stress for carers
• Awareness: Unaware of GPS technology or didn’t
have time to search for GPS technology
Overcoming Barriers
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Promoting social inclusion
Utilising GPS technology such as the Safe2Walk device has shown
to provide independence and freedom for many people living with
dementia to walk autonomously and enjoy activities within the
community.
Case study examples on how Safe2Walk assists with promoting
social inclusion:
• Benjamin
• Anne
The Safe2Walk also enables these people to stay home for longer
delaying/ avoiding admission into residential care facilities.
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• Consent is required by PLWD if possible
• Use to maintain independence and promote social
inclusion not to retrieve person
• Can the device be adequately
supported by PLWD/carer/family
members
• What are the alternatives?
Is the Safe2Walk the right
device for PLWD?
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How Safe2Walk® works
Up to 6 satellites fix
position of device
Device and satellite
communicate
at set intervals or on
request
Device sends location
data to service
provider via GPRS Position/location is sent via
internet or SMS to carer
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Features of the Safe2Walk® service
• Personal alert/mobile phone/GPS location service all in one device
• Accurate within 20 metres
• Easy log in web based system
• Set up safe walking boundary feature
• Location through website or sms
• Low cost $12.50 per week
• Minimum 6 month lease period
• One minute reporting
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Features of the Safe2Walk® device
• “Normal” mobile phone appearance
• One touch button call function
• Auto answer & hang up
• Vibrate and ring
• Holds up to 3 pre-programmed phone numbers
• Between 16-24 hour battery life
• Features based on research
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www.safe2walk.com.au
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Future directions for Safe2Walk
• Safe2Walk has been running for 3 years with positive effects
• Increase marketing of service
• Securing funding to expand service to other Australian states
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“To all of us who will have dementia, in the hope that we will be able to walk outside
and feel the rain on our faces.” Mary Marshall and Kate Allen (2006)
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For more information on
Safe2Walk visit
Helena Cromb (Senior Enabling Environment)
Safe2Walk website: www.safe2walk.com.au
Email: [email protected]
GPS Ethics:
http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?doc
umentID=579
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