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Reseach Article

Utilization and Impacts of GPS Tracking in Healthcare: A Research Study for Elderly Care

by Muhammad Wasim Munir, Semi Perälä, Kari Mäkelä
International Journal of Computer Applications
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Volume 45 - Number 11
Year of Publication: 2012
Authors: Muhammad Wasim Munir, Semi Perälä, Kari Mäkelä
10.5120/6826-9385

Muhammad Wasim Munir, Semi Perälä, Kari Mäkelä . Utilization and Impacts of GPS Tracking in Healthcare: A Research Study for Elderly Care. International Journal of Computer Applications. 45, 11 ( May 2012), 35-37. DOI=10.5120/6826-9385

@article{ 10.5120/6826-9385,
author = { Muhammad Wasim Munir, Semi Perälä, Kari Mäkelä },
title = { Utilization and Impacts of GPS Tracking in Healthcare: A Research Study for Elderly Care },
journal = { International Journal of Computer Applications },
issue_date = { May 2012 },
volume = { 45 },
number = { 11 },
month = { May },
year = { 2012 },
issn = { 0975-8887 },
pages = { 35-37 },
numpages = {9},
url = { https://ijcaonline.org/archives/volume45/number11/6826-9385/ },
doi = { 10.5120/6826-9385 },
publisher = {Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA},
address = {New York, USA}
}
%0 Journal Article
%1 2024-02-06T20:37:23.287820+05:30
%A Muhammad Wasim Munir
%A Semi Perälä
%A Kari Mäkelä
%T Utilization and Impacts of GPS Tracking in Healthcare: A Research Study for Elderly Care
%J International Journal of Computer Applications
%@ 0975-8887
%V 45
%N 11
%P 35-37
%D 2012
%I Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Abstract

This study provided awareness about the importance of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in healthcare. This research evaluated existing tracking devices for elderly people and identified the difficulties and possible solutions in the performance analysis. There were two GPS (global positioning system) tracking devices examined and tested by eight elderly subjects and a questionnaire survey filled at the end. The first device was simple and easier in handling while the second device has more features and slightly difficult in handling. These devices can potentially increase the privacy and raises self-motivation in elderly. Nevertheless, these devices were not suitable for (i) memory loss patients because they cannot handle these kinds of devices. (ii) A significant issue was also the maintenance of the device itself: who reminds the elderly patients about to use and who recharges the battery. This may create a similar situation as with the other use of telemedicine technologies and raised ethical concerns. However, these kinds of devices can be very important to reduce the major risk of elderly people getting lost, and provide the peace of mind to caregivers. In addition, homecare-tracking devices can be helpful in reducing the rush at healthcare centers and provide cheap solutions in remote monitoring of elderly.

References
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Index Terms

Computer Science
Information Sciences

Keywords

Elderly Care Information And Communication Technology (ict) Telemedicine Gps Tracking Devices