https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5173-9065
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Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the provision and need for assistive products for older adults with cognitive impairment among rehabilitation therapists, identify any unmet needs, and analyze current issues in providing such products.
Methods
We conducted a questionnaire survey with rehabilitation therapists involved in selecting and providing assistive products for cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairments. Questionnaires comprising ten items about the experience and need for cognitive assistive products were sent to 300 facilities for older adults in Japan between January and February 2021. One hundred thirty-five responses were received.
Results
The mean age of the participants was 39.5 ± SD7.1. There were 70 females, 64 males, and one unanswered questionnaire. In total, 72 (53.3%) of the 135 therapists had introduced or provided assistive products to their patients. The most frequently provided products were for safety and security; some were provided to support memory and orientation. 86% of therapists did not use the insurance system to provide them. The survey showed that most participants with experience providing assistive products needed information on the available resources.
Conclusions
Although the need for assistive products for cognition is increasing, they are not sufficiently supplied in caring for older adults with cognitive impairment. Their availability differed depending on the assistive product type. It is necessary to have an effective social insurance system and access to up-to-date information to provide appropriate assistive products.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Assistive products are still underutilized in dementia care. This is despite the strong recognition among rehabilitation professionals, with experience providing assistive products for cognition, that assistive products are necessary for older adults with cognitive impairment.
Professionals need access to information to provide appropriate assistive products to aid cognition. Improving public insurance systems and information accessibility can support rehabilitation professionals in providing effective assistive products for older adults with cognitive impairment.
Acknowledgments
We thank the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapy and those who cooperated with this answer.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).