Assistive products for older adults in China: self-reported need, services, and satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose: Older adults may abandon or discontinue the use of assistive products due to low levels of satisfaction. Only few studies have examined need and satisfaction related to the use of assistive products for this group in China. As such, research is needed to improve satisfaction with assistive products and related services. Method: This study used technology acceptance theory to examine the self-reported need for, and ownership of, assistive products among older adults in China, as well as to examine the association between services and satisfaction with assistive products; the underlying mechanism of this association was also assessed. The current study used the rapid assistive technology assessment (rATA) questionnaire designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for stratified and cluster sampling. A total of 2,158 older adults living in China were interviewed. The multiple regression analysis was used to examine the independent and interactive associations between services and satisfaction. Heterogeneity and robustness tests were also undertaken.Results: The self-reported need for assistive products pertained mainly to vision, and together with ownership, the need gap has not yet been addressed. Both pre-sale (β = 0.600, p < 0.01) and follow-up services (β = 0.270, p < 0.01) were positively correlated with satisfaction, which in turn shows heterogeneity when it comes to the types of assistive products.Conclusion: Providing accessible services, especially follow-up services, will help older adults be more satisfied with their assistive products, thus ultimately ensuring the continued use of products.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• There is a huge demand for assistive products among older adults in China, but the awareness of these adults’ needs is low.

• This study’s findings confirm the results of earlier research, i.e. that satisfactory services are important for overall satisfaction with assistive products among older adults.

• Easy-to-access services may help to improve product satisfaction through service.

• Environmental factors are also important indicators of satisfaction with assistive products.

Keywords:

• Assistive products
• satisfaction
• follow-up services
• older adults
• China

Ethics and consent statements

Our study did not require an ethical board approval because this study does not contain any animal or human studies.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data in this study was obtained from WHO “Global Report on Assistive Technology” survey. Such dataset may be requested from https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/assistive-and-medical-technology/assistive-technology/global-report-on-assistive-technology.

Notes

1 In mainland China, neighbourhood committees are residents’ organisations, that is, autonomous organisations of urban/rural residents, and are guided by the work of sub-district offices. The municipal districts and streets constitute one of the most basic administrative divisions in China.

2 Hearing products include alarm signallers with light/sound/vibration, hearing aids (digital) and batteries, closed captioning displays, and so on. Communication products include smart phones/tablets/PDA, communication boards/books/cards, communication software, and so on. Cognition products include pill organisers, GPS locators, personal emergency alarm systems, time management products, and so on. Self-care products include grab-bars/hand rails, incontinence products, absorbents, ramps, portables, and so on. If an assistive product was not listed in the questionnaire, respondents were asked to provide the name or a photo of the product.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Project of China under Grant [number 2018YFC2002600].