Service users' experiences with mobile safety alarms in home care: A qualitative study

Aim: To investigate service users of home-based care experiences of using mobile safety alarm and how the alarm affects their ability to cope with everyday life. Design: A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. Methods: The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed according to systematic text condensation. Four men and six women, between 47 and 85 years of age, were included in the study. Results: Three main themes emerged in the analysis: dimensions of safety, the functionality of the alarm and variation in user guidance. The greatest benefit of having a mobile safety alarm was the feeling of safety. Moreover, the certainty of obtaining contact with the health professionals in any situation was highly valued. However, regarding implementation of the mobile safety alarm, the findings revealed a varying understanding among the service users. Nevertheless, the need for social interaction in their everyday lives is an important factor to recognize.