Deciding about the use of a Personal Safety Alerting Device—The need for a legitimation process: A qualitative study. (13th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thilo, Friederike J. S.; Schols, Jos M. G. A.; Halfens, Ruud J. G.; Linhart, Monika; Hahn, Sabine
• Is Part Of: Journal of advanced nursing. Volume 77:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 331
• Page End: 342
• Publication Date: 2020-10-13
• Subjects: ageing in place -- community‐dwelling -- decision‐making -- empowerment -- focus group -- gerontechnology -- independent living -- nurses -- patient safety -- technology adoption; Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1111/jan.14566
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-2402

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: To explore reasons, thoughts, motives, and influencing factors regarding the use or non‐use of Personal Safety Alerting Devices (PSADs) in the daily lives of community‐dwelling older persons. Design: A qualitative descriptive study design was used. Methods: Six focus groups were conducted with a total of 32 older persons between February–August 2016. Data analysis followed the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven. Results: The participants described the use or non‐use of PSADs as a decision resulting from a "legitimation process". This process implies that a person needs to perceive the necessity for a PSAD and then determine the right moment at which to start using it. During this process, each person weighs her or his "ageing self" and "perception of technology" then decides whether to start using a device or to delay its use. "Critical events" initiate this process, compelling the person to consider their own safety and their possible need for assistance. Conclusion: The legitimation process suggests that the initiation of PSAD use represents a turning point in life. Using a PSAD is not simply a matter of obtaining one. It is a complex decision‐making process establishing legitimation for its use, which is interwoven with one's individual ageing, self‐perception, and the meaning attributed to the device. Impact: Older persons need to be supported; in particular, they require time to go through the legitimation process for PSAD use. Nurses can empower them in this process, such that they perceive using a PSAD as a means to restore their frailty balance and feel enabled to (re)gain control over their own life and thus to preserve their independence. 摘要: 目标: 探讨社区老年人在日常生活中使用或不使用个人安全警报装置(PSAD)的原因、想法、动机和影响因素。 设计: 采用定性描述性研究设计。 方法: 2016年2月至8月, 对共计32名老年人参加的六个核心小组进行调查。遵循鲁汶的定性分析指南对数据进行分析。 结果: 参与者对使用或不使用个人安全警报装置的说明作为"合法化过程"的决定。这个过程意味着, 一个人需要意识到个人安全警报装置的必要性, 然后决定何时开始使用。在这个过程中, 每个人都会对其"自我衰老感"和"技术认知"进行权衡, 然后决定是开始使用该设备还是推迟使用。"关键事件"会启动这一过程, 迫使该人员考虑自己的安全问题和可能的援助需求。 结论: 合法化过程表明, 开始使用个人安全警报装置代表着一个生命的转折点。使用个人安全警报装置并不仅仅是获得个人安全警报装置这么一回事。这是一个复杂的决策过程, 为其使用确立合法性, 与个人的衰老感、自我认知以及设备的意义紧密关联。 影响: 老年人需要得到支持;特别是, 他们需要时间通过个人安全警报装置使用的合法化程序。护士可以在这一过程中获得赋权, 便于他们可以将使用个人安全警报装置作为恢复脆弱平衡的一种手段, 并感到能够(重新)掌控生活, 保持独立性。