Assistive devices and community-based services among 85-year-old community-dwelling elderly in The Netherlands: Ownership,use,and need for intervention

Objective.?To assess the home-situation of the oldest old regarding the ownership, use, and need for intervention of assistive devices and community-based services.

Methods.?A research nurse and an occupational therapist, who evaluated the current situation regarding ownership and use of assistive devices, visited a representative group of 147 Dutch community-dwelling 85-year-olds in their own homes. Furthermore, the occupational therapist assessed whether an intervention was indicated. Assistance in purchasing devices, information, and instruction were provided when necessary.

Results.?94% of the subjects owned one or more assistive devices, with a mean of 4.5 (SD 2.7) assistive devices. Most frequently owned were grab rails. Of the total number of 591 assistive devices, 74 (13%) were not in use. In 66 of the 147 (45%) subjects at least one intervention was indicated. A total number of 23 subjects received information and instruction on mobility-related issues, while 17 subjects received information and instruction on personal care-related issues. Moreover, for 19 subjects an application procedure was started for a total of 25 assistive devices and five community-based services in the mobility category while for 19 subjects an application procedure was started for a total of 31 devices and four services in the personal care category.

Conclusions.?Based on detailed information from occupational therapists, the home situation of community-dwelling elderly regarding the presence and use of assistive devices and community-based services is not optimal.