The Impact of Experience and Heuristics on Everyday Decisions to Use Mobility Devices: The Need for Control in Nine African-American Older Adults

Abstract

Nine African-American older adults participated in this ualitative research study to examine decision making and problem-solving related to current and potential mobility device use. Focus group and individual narrative interviews were conducted. Results indicated that older adults use their own past experiences, observation of others using or considering use of mobility devices, and rules as heuristics for making decisions about device use. The desire to maintain control of one's physical and social environments guided decisions about using mobility devices. Participants in the study sought ways to manage decreasing capacities for mobility that preserved self-image while altering the environment as little as possible. Therefore, mobility device use was considered a last alternative because it represented a more permanent and drastic environmental alteration than these community-dwelling older adults were prepared to accept. Suggested guidelines for using the results in practice are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Assistive technology device
• gerontology
• disability
• rehabilitation
• decision making

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sandra H. Cash

Jennifer R. Johnson was a graduate student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX at the time of this study. She is currently employed as an Occupational Therapist at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, LA

Debra Stewart is Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University and staff therapist at Erinoak Centre, Missis-sauga, Ontario. She is currently completing a MSc (Design, Measurement and Evaluation) at McMaster University.

Ronald L. Mace (deceased, June 29, 1998) was also affiliated with The Center for Universal Design, School of Design, North Carolina University.

Lois Rosage and Geraldine Shaw are Occupational Therapist Consultants who provide evaluations for the housing programs at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.

Debbie Rand is Occupational Therapist, Beit Rivka Geriatric Rehabilitation Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel. She completed this study in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her mailing address is 50 Heh B'Eyar Street, Apartment 5, Rosh Ha'Ayin, Israel, 48056.

Maureen McKenna is a Licensed Physical Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. Her Current position is: Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, Wheeling Jesuit University, 316 Washington Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Heather Lambert was funded in part by a Health Canada NHRDP Fellowship, a REPAR Fellowship, a doctoral bursary from the Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Quebec, and a Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation-Royal Canadian Legion Fellowship in Gerontology.

Trish Wielandt was supported by a University of Queensland Postgraduate Research Scholarship (UQPRS).

Dr. Leigh Tooth was supported by a NHMRC Fellowship (#997032) while some of this research was undertaken.

J. D. “Herb” Herbert is Occupational Therapist, Rocky Mountain Menders LLC, 363 Pioneer Road, Lyons, CO 80540. At the time of this study, he was a graduate student, Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.