title: Tele-care and tele-alarms for the elderly: preliminary experiences in Mexico.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the effect of a pilot program of tele-assistance and tele-alarms on the elderly's self-perception of health status and to identify the satisfaction with and acceptance of the program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study that included interviews with 378 elderly individuals, 294 caretakers/relatives and 53 health care professionals. The program was run in Mexico City in 2010. The variables were socio-demographic characteristics, self-rated health, satisfaction and acceptance of the program. The information was gathered through a standardized questionnaire. The statistical analysis included descriptive analysis and nonparametric tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant effects on self-perception of health were observed, 6.17 (SD 17.9 p < 0.05) points above the average. The program was well received and accepted by the elderly, family caregivers and health professionals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The program helps to maintain or improve quality of life, allows preventive care and is an ideal means of providing psychosocial support to the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Secretaría de Salud México, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giraldo-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Secretaría de Salud México, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torres-Castro
authors.affiliation: IKUSI Micronet México, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martínez-Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Secretaría de Salud México, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Luis Miguel
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Robledo
authors.affiliation: División de Protección Social y Salud, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez-Cuevas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017028:Caregivers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone