Assistive Device Use Among the Elderly: Trends, Characteristics of Users, and Implications for Modeling

摘要

An intriguing aspect of recent declines in elderly disability is the increased use of disability-related equipment, or assistive devices. Studies consistently have found declines in the overall disability rate among older Americans, with larger decreases in independent living activities, such as meal preparation and shopping, associated with lower levels of disability. Several national surveys also show declines since the mid 1990s in help with personal care activities, such as bathing and toileting, associated with more severe disability. Evidence is less clear, however, when personal care disability is defined to include use of assistive devices, because of the rising prevalence of equipment use. For only one activity, bathing, was an upward trend in the prevalence of equipment use associated with a downward trend in the prevalence of help.