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Aids and adaptations for the elderly at home: underprovided, underused, and undermaintained
J George1, V E Binns, A D Clayden
1Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.
British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|May 14, 1988
Summary
Many elderly individuals over 75 have faulty or unused assistive devices, yet many still need essential aids for daily living. Regular assessments in general practice should ensure proper provision, use, and maintenance of these vital aids.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Assistive Technology
Background:
- Aging populations require support for independent living.
- Assistive devices and home adaptations are crucial for elderly well-being.
- Current provision and utilization of these aids among the elderly are not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the availability and usage of home-based aids and adaptations for elderly individuals.
- To identify gaps in provision and highlight areas for improvement in assistive device support.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 140 individuals aged over 75 was selected from an urban general practice.
- Data collection focused on the types of aids and adaptations present in their homes and their functional status.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of existing aids were found to be faulty (e.g., 50% of walking aids, 15% of hearing aids).
- Up to 50% of provided aids were underutilized.
- Many elderly individuals requiring specific aids (e.g., for bathing, toileting) did not have them.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need to assess the maintenance and effective use of assistive devices for the elderly.
- General practice screenings should incorporate assessments of aids and adaptations to ensure they meet the needs of elderly patients.
- Improved strategies are required for the provision, utilization, and upkeep of assistive technologies for older adults.