The use of assistive devices and change in use during the ageing process among very old Swedish people

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics and change in use among very old Swedish users and non-users of assistive devices (ADs) for mobility and personal care, over a six-year period, and to investigate factors predicting AD use over a six-year period. Method: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse quantitative data from a subsample from the Swedish part of the ENABLE-AGE Survey Study, n = 154. Variables according to socio-demographics, environment and health were utilized. Results: The number of users increased over time, particularly those using both types of ADs (mobility and personal care). There were differences in health between users and non-users, while no such differences were seen regarding socio-demographics or environmental factors. Health factors most prominent predicted AD use after six years, but also variables within socio-demographics and the environment had an impact on the use; income for ADs for personal care and aspects in the outdoor environment for ADs for mobility. Conclusions: As ADs increases over time, it is important, to pay attention to health as well as other factors, among users and non-users of ADs, to provide important information in planning for and supporting healthy and active ageing.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The combination of device use for mobility and personal care increases over time for very old people.

• Very old people’s perceived physical mobility can indicate future needs for mobility devices.

• It is important to consider outdoor environmental barriers impact on mobility device use.

Keywords::

• Assistive technology
• environment
• health
• mobility
• personal care
• predicted use
• socio-demographics
• technical aids

Acknowledgements

The study was accomplished within the context of the Centre for Ageing and Supportive Environments (CASE), Lund University. This study was based on data from the Swedish part of the project Enabling Autonomy, Participation, and Well-Being in Old Age: The Home Environment as a Determinant for Healthy Ageing, ENABLE-AGE (QLRT-2001-00334), which is funded by the European Commission. We thank all the consortia and national team members for their contributions.

Declaration of interest

This study was supported by the Swedish Research Council and the Ribbing Foundation, Lund, Sweden and funded by the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research.