Perspectives on assistive devices among elderly persons with disabilities

The RERC on Aging is conducting a longitudinal study of the needs of older persons with disabilities for assistive devices and environmental interventions. This paper presents an analysis of the results of interviews with 508 home-based seniors, focusing on their ownership, use, and satisfaction with assistive devices. While previous reports from this RERC-Aging study indicate a relatively high rate of satisfaction with devices, this paper primarily focuses on problems consumers are having with devices they use. This paper also reports the suggestions of study participants for new devices and modifications to existing devices. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.