Perceptions on technology for volunteer respite care for bedridden elders in Chile

Abarca, Esmeralda; Campos Solange, Herskovic Valeria, Fuentes Carolina

Keywords: Caregiving, IT, respite, volunteer, qualitative research

Abstract

Purpose: Informal caregivers of bedridden elders need a respite. One form of obtaining a respite is through volunteers who are contacted by means of information and communication technology (ICT). Method: A qualitative study was carried out in a low-income district in Santiago, Chile, to learn about how caregivers of bedridden elders perceive the possibility of using ICT to access this respite. In-depth interviews were carried out and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using open coding. Results: The results reveal that caregivers are willing to receive a volunteer in their home and use ICT to communicate with them, although a discrepancy exists between the use of devices connected to the Internet and feature phones. Conclusion: This study concludes that informal caregivers of bedridden elders have a favourable disposition towards accessing a respite system by means of ICT based on a peer-to-peer economy.

Más información

Título de la Revista: International Journal Of Qualitative Studies On Health And Well-Being
Volumen: 13
Número: 1
Fecha de publicación: 2018
Página de inicio: 1
Página final: 10
Idioma: English
Financiamiento/Sponsor: Microsoft, FUSELAB Research
Notas: SCOPUS