Evaluating the SCAMPI app in people’s homes

We are undertaking an evaluation with volunteers who will be using SCAMPI in their homes for a few weeks. We want to find out how well it works, whether it is easy to use, and whether it is worthwhile.

One day we also hope to link SCAMPI to simple home sensors.  Sensors are often used in the homes of older people. SCAMPI can use data from sensors about the activities that you undertake. We want to explore how well these sensors can detect different activities.

Our participants are:

People aged 51 – 80 and who represent our target audience:

• With early stage dementia, OR with early or well controlled Parkinson’s, OR with no chronic disease but active and willing to try the new technology!
• With home internet, who live in Suffolk or an easy commute from the City campus and are happy to have the technology at home, use it and give feedback to the visiting researcher.
• Who can commit for up to 10 weeks … we offer ‘LovetoShop’ vouchers as reimbursement.

The user-trial involves:

• Weeks 1 – 2.  The volunteers keep a simple daily diary and tell the researcher about themselves (e.g. their interests, health, and what makes them tick!).  Someone who supports them, such as a family member or friend can become a participant too – we welcome their opinion about your use of SCAMPI.
• Weeks 2 – 3 – We provide the tablet computer and temporarily install the sensors in homes.  We show the volunteers how to use SCAMPI on the tablet, and set it up with information about them, so that they can start to use it.
• Weeks 4 up to 10.  We will visit the volunteers home every week or two (depending on how they are getting on) to ask about how they’re finding it.  At some stage nearing week 10 we will remove the tablet and sensors (ensuring no damage) … and get their final feedback.

When the research is complete our volunteers are also entitled to a summary report of the evaluation.

This SCAMPI Evaluation Invitation PDF document also provides details of our study.