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Copyright of Hoitotiede is the property of Hoitotieteiden Tutkimusseura HTTS r.y. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The behavioural activity pattern is a behavioural and biological 24-hour rhythm. Ageing, diseases and memory disorders can change this pattern. Home care staff can utilize knowledge about the behavioural activity pattern of elderly home care clients in many ways. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether home care staff could identify the behavioural activity pattern of elderly home care clients using activity sensors, namely, actigraphs and motion sensors, could identify the behavioural activity rhythms. A total of four elderly home care clients and one elderly home rehabilitation client took part in the study. The participants wore actigraphs on their wrist and motion sensors were installed in their apartment. In addition to sensor data, home care staff answered one open-ended question during each home care visit. The data collection period was two weeks. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the analysis. The behavioural activity pattern was easy to identify from the motion sensor data, whereas actigraph data were difficult to interpret. The home care staff members' answers to open-ended questions reinforced the reliability of motion sensor data. Motion sensors are relatively cheap, unobtrusive and reliable way to identify and detect changes in the behavioural activity patterns of elderly home care clients. Motion sensors are cheap, user-friendly and highly accepted technology for identifying and monitoring behavioural activity rhythm. Home care staff members can use the data about elderly home care client's behavioural activity rhythm to monitor deviations to the rhythm and detect changes in client's health. The information about behavioural activity rhythm can also be utilized in planning home care visits and interventions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hoitotiede is the property of Hoitotieteiden Tutkimusseura HTTS r.y. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)