Assistive devices for home–base older stroke survivors

The University at Buffalo Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Aging is conducting a longitudinal study of assistive device needs of older persons with disabilities. This article examines the results of interviews with a sub-sample from this study, 30 persons over the age of 60 years who have had a stroke. Results indicate that this population are assistive device users: they own a mean of 16 devices per person and use a mean of 12.6 devices (80% of the devices they own). These older subjects express a need for additional devices, yet lack up–to–date information on devices available in the marketplace. In examining the home environment, the bathroom presents the largest number of problems for older stroke survivors, followed by the kitchen—rooms where many basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (lADLs) are carried out. Recommendations for service providers are included in this article.