The productivity impact of the voice link between elderly and nurses: an assisted living facility pilot.

The aim of the study was to test the use of a voice link between elderly and the caregivers. The new technology replaced the previous system of summoning assistance through activating a corridor-based visual alarm signal in an assisted living facility. The voice link made it possible for caregivers to delay attending to the resident until a more suitable time. In 76% of alarm calls, visits to attend to residents could have been conveniently delayed until a later time, and in 40% of the alarms the caregiver did do just this. Moreover, the installation of the new voice link system resulted in a reduction of nearly 60% in the number of alarm calls. The caregivers felt that the voice link had helped them in their work. The study provides ideas and material on how to undertake further studies on the impact of other examples of new care giving technology.