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Does assistive technology substitute for personal assistance among the disabled elderly?
Helen Hoenig1, Donald H Taylor, Frank A Sloan
1Department of Medicine/Geriatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. helen.hoenig@duke.edu
American Journal of Public Health
|January 30, 2003
Summary
Using assistive technology, such as equipment, was linked to needing less personal assistance from others for individuals with disabilities. This finding highlights the role of technological aids in supporting daily living activities.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Assistive Technology Research
Background:
- Older adults often face limitations in basic activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Coping with disability may involve personal assistance or technological solutions.
- Understanding the interplay between these support types is crucial for aging-in-place.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between technological assistance and personal assistance use in community-dwelling older adults.
- To determine if using equipment to manage disability reduces the need for human help.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Utilized data from 2368 community-dwelling individuals aged 65+ with at least one ADL limitation.
- Analyzed data from the 1994 National Long Term Care Survey.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse relationship was observed between technological assistance and personal assistance.
- Multivariate models confirmed that individuals using equipment required fewer hours of personal help.
- This association was consistent across the study population.
Conclusions:
- Assistive technology adoption is associated with a reduced need for personal assistance among disabled individuals.
- Technological aids can effectively supplement or substitute for human support in managing daily living challenges.
- Findings support the integration of assistive technology in care strategies for older adults with disabilities.