Tracking systems in people with dementia in long-term care - an integrative review

Abstract

Background: Tracking systems are used increasingly in long-term care settings. However, their use is controversial. Aim: This paper examines how tracking systems are used to monitor people with dementia in long-term care facilities and what the consequences are for both residents and staff. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in the PubMed, CINAHL, Livivo, ScienceDirect data bases and a hand search also took place. Included were studies, reviews and research reports in German and English from 2013 onwards. Results: A total of eight references were included in the analysis.The results point to an ambivalent use of tracking systems in nursing. Nursing professionals face challenges in the areas of trust and distrust as welt as autonomy and security. For residents, this means new opportunities for mobility and self-determination, but also more pressure due to continuous monitoring. Conclusions: The results show that the current debate on the use of tracking systems for people with dementia in long-term care settings concentrates mostly on the economic aspects, whereas aspects of person-centered care. ethical conflicts or the experience of those affected are given less attention. A core finding is that the use of technology changes the work processes and roles of professional carers.