Exploring the Living Alone Elderly’s Experiences of Using Personal Emergency Response Service: A Qualitative Study

• Main Authors: Yi-Ching Cheng, 鄭怡青
• Other Authors: Jane Lee-Hsieh
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/52808735575908143073

碩士 === 國立臺北護理健康大學 === 護理研究所 === 103 === The Hualien County government implemented the “Personal Emergency Response Service" for elderly individuals living alone in 1997. To date, 4,752 individuals have use the service (Ministry of the Interior, 2012). Most studies have evaluated the demographics of the user population, the system operation, or the cognitive aspects of using the Personal Emergency Response Service. The purpose of this study is to explore user experiences and perceptions of the Personal Emergency Response Service. A qualitative approach was used. Participants consisted of senior citizens 65 years of age and above living alone in Hualien County and using the Personal Emergency Response Service. The researcher collected data via individual interviews of 11 users. The interview data was analyzed by content analysis and five themes emerged: (1) loneliness from no one to talk with; (2) frustration and helplessness from disease; (3) alone with poverty and difficulty; (4) fear that no one will rescue them in case of accident; and (5) craving the attention and assistance of the nursing staff. The results of this study may serve as a reference for providers of nursing care to senior citizens living alone and may reduce the number and severity of accidents and problems.