ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Exploring patterns of personal alarm system use and impacts on outcomes | JoVE Visualize

Home
Research Domains
Information And Computing Sciences

Exploring patterns of personal alarm system use and impacts on outcomes

Nadine E Andrew^1,2, Yun Wang^1,3, Ken Teo^2,4

¹Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Peninsula Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Australasian Journal on Ageing|March 29, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Personal emergency response systems (PERS) use by older Australians showed recurring patterns, with falls and feeling unwell being equally common reasons for activation. Many unwell-related alarms led to hospital admissions.

Area of Science:

Gerontology
Health Informatics
Public Health

Background:

Personal emergency response systems (PERS) are crucial for supporting older adults living independently.
Understanding PERS activation patterns is key to optimizing emergency response and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the usage patterns of PERS among a large cohort of older Australians.
To identify common reasons for alarm activations and their outcomes.

Main Methods:

Analysis of PERS data from the Personal Alarm Victoria program (2014-2017).
Extraction of alarm activation reasons and a medical record audit for hospitalized patients.
Descriptive statistical analysis of the data.

Main Results:

42,180 clients (mean age 80, 93% living alone) were included.
Falls and feeling unwell were equally common activation reasons (44% ambulance for falls, 81% admission for unwell).
Recurring patterns in alarm activation reasons were observed.

Conclusions:

Recurring patterns in PERS alarm activations were identified in older Australians.
These patterns highlight specific needs and potential areas for intervention in elder care technology.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Life And Complex Adaptive Systems

Exploring Patterns Of Personal Alarm System Use And Impacts On Outcomes

Keywords:

aging emergencies falls personal emergency response systems