Survey on Assistive Devices Utilization for Old Adults Supported by Community-based Homecare in Dongcheng, Beijing / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the awareness, use, price acceptance, satisfaction, feedback on quality problems, compliance and access methods of assistive devices for the old adults in Dongcheng, Beijing. Methods:From April to December, 2017, 166 homecare old adults from six communities of Dongcheng, Beijing accepted assistive devices after adaption, and were taught how to use. They were followed up once half a month for six months to investigate activities of daily living, satisfaction, awareness and expectation for their assistive devices. Results:There were 22% of them never used their assistive devices. For those assistive devices had been used, 62% were mobile products, 48% were homecare products, 44% were visual products, 20% were hearing products, and 4% were other products. The score of Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology was (4.04±0.46) in total, with 2% abandoning. Practicalness, good quality, multi-function and high performance-cost were the most important factors in mind to buy the assistive products. Common quality problems were infirmness of assembly (43%), rough appearance (27%), damaged parts (15%), hidden danger (13%), unsuitable size (3%), poor reliability (3%) and lack of structural strength (3%). The ways to obtain assistive devices included self-purchase (80%), government adaptation (13%), family and friends giving (6%), and lease (0%). Conclusion:Assistive devices can improve quality of life for the old adults. They prefer to choosing assistive devices of multi-function, cost-effective, for daily living, communication and homecare. Professional fitting, regular visit and maintenance can increase the satisfaction, and reduce abandonment of assistive devices. Assistive devices leasing service may help to promote the access of assistive devices.