Assistive technology and walking aid use by intellectually disabled older people in a residential care center

Older people with intellectual disability (ID) often require assistive technology to promote independence in their daily lives. Objective: To describe the degree of the use of assistive technology and walking aids by older people with ID. Study group: All permanent residents over the age of 50 years living in two different residential care centers in Israel. Methods: Cross-sectional investigation generating data on: type of assistive devices (e.g., wheel-chair, walker, cane, orthopedic shoes, splint, brace, hearing aid, artificial teeth), mode and reason for use were inspected. Results: The majority of participants (>70%) used orthopedic shoes, and 53% used frame or cane for gait. The overall frequency of outdoor use was much greater than that for indoor use, and most participants (81%) used it more than 50% of all time. Of participants who used a gait aid (walker, cane) (n = 16) the majority (85%-90%) used it appropriately and satisfactory. The main reason for using the assistive device was to improve standing balance, gait stability, and enhancing daily activities and functions. The degree of fitting a hearing aid, eye glasses, and prosthetic/artificial teeth was quite disappointing and altogether, only 20%-35% of the subjects practically used them. Conclusions: Caregivers must not only provide for assistive device needs but also consider a mechanism to ensure that people with ID will be able to access and use the equipment they need to promote independence and quality of life in their daily lives appropriately.