State assistive technology policies and programs for older adults with disabilities: trends and innovations

Abstract

Disability has become normative in old age, for the greater numbers of 1) persons with disability now living long enough to experience the problems of aging and 2) older adults living long enough to experience the problems of disability. Regardless of the cause of disability, assistive technology (AT) has a major impact on the lives of older adults and its use has escalated. Federal and state policy makers have enacted legislation that encourages the use of AT devices and environmental changes in residences (i.e., home modification [HM]). Attention, however, has been focused on national policies such as the State Tech Act despite the presence of many state-initiated actions. This article first presents a brief rationale for studying state-level AT/HM efforts. It then summarizes and critiques earlier studies before describing the methods and results of two studies of four different agencies with some responsibility for AT and/or HM for elders. A final section discusses the limitations and implications of these research projects, with reference to AT/HM policies and practices in the future.