An Investigation of the Number and Cost of Assistive Devices Used by Older People Who Had Fallen and Called a 999 Ambulance

Abstract

Some assistive devices, such as walking frames and bath boards, are provided by health and social services, but some are bought by people through shops, the internet and magazines or second hand. Using a face-to-face interview, the number and cost of assistive devices bought by people who had fallen and called a 999 ambulance were investigated.

Two hundred and four older people (mean age 83 years, 72/35% men) who had fallen and called an emergency ambulance were interviewed at home by a research occupational therapist. A structured questionnaire about the cost and use of assistive devices was completed. Functional ability was measured using the Barthel Index and the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale.

One hundred and ten people (54%) had bought their own devices, spending a median of £700 each. People with multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart conditions and Parkinson's disease had spent over twice as much as those with osteoarthritis, stroke, diabetes and dementia.

Many older people buy their own assistive devices at a considerable cost to themselves. As social services direct payments allow people to manage their own care packages, more people will be buying direct and may be looking for advice.