As people age, a lot of them require mobility aid.

Canes, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs are

some examples of these aids. Clinicians need to know how to choose the right size and model of
the device for each patient (or work with a physical therapist) and prescribe the device using the
patient's health insurance plan. Canes can improve standing tolerance and gait by relieving
pressure from a sore or weak limb. However, because they are the least stable of all assistive
devices, patients must have good balance, upper body strength, and dexterity to use them
safely. Older people rarely use crutches since it takes a lot of upper body strength. Walkers offer
a wide base of support when patients can't always bear their full weight on their legs due to
poor balance or bilateral lower limb weakness. Compared to a regular walker with no wheels, a
two-wheel rolling walker is more practical and easier to use. Higher functioning people who do
not need to completely off-load a lower limb and who require rest breaks for reasons related to
cardiopulmonary endurance can use a four-wheel rolling walker (rollator), however, this is the
least stable type of walker. Patients who lack lower body strength, balance, or endurance for
ambulation should take wheelchairs into consideration. Skin breakdown can be prevented with
proper fitting and patient education. Patients need to be coordinated and have enough upper
body strength to use manual wheelchairs. For people who are unable to operate a manual
wheelchair or who require the features of a power wheelchair, power chairs may be an option.

REFERENCE:

Am Fam Physician. (2021). Mobility Assistive Device Use in Older Adults. Retrieved Jun 15, 2021, from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34128609/

A changing state of health and well-being that is managed and supported by the use of numerous
assistive technologies may be understood by older persons as part of their perceptions of their health
condition, which may go beyond just the acute illness episodes. In line with this, technology can
successfully assist in avoiding the costly institutional nursing care of senior citizens and in providing ways
to deal with the expected shortage of care personnel. The use of technology in digital environments is
becoming more common among older adults, and they are able to adapt technical artifacts to their own
needs. Research must take into account older adults' attitudes toward aging and personal preferences
for care practices in order to better understand the factors underlying the adoption of technology by
older individuals who live independently.

REFERENCE:

Front Public Health. (2021). Insights Into the Older Adults' World: Concepts of Aging, Care, and Using
Assistive Technology in Late Adulthood. Retrieved July 2, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8283565/
Much hope is placed in the use of assistive
technologies (AT) to support
older adults and retain their independence and
quality of life. AT could also be a
way to help fulfill the increasing requirements
of caring for an aging population.
While many devices are freely available,
successful and broad adoption is
progressing slowly.

Much hope is placed in the use of assistive

technologies (AT) to support
older adults and retain their independence and
quality of life. AT could also be a
way to help fulfill the increasing requirements
of caring for an aging population.
While many devices are freely available,
successful and broad adoption is
progressing slowly.
Much hope is placed in the use of assistive
technologies (AT) to support
older adults and retain their independence and
quality of life. AT could also be a
way to help fulfill the increasing requirements
of caring for an aging population.
While many devices are freely available,
successful and broad adoption is
progressing slowly.
The employment of assistive technologies (AT) to help older individuals maintain their independence
and quality of life is viewed with great hope. The growing demands of care for an older population may
also be met in part via AT. Although there are numerous free gadgets available, successful and
widespread acceptance is moving slowly. They looked into the acceptance of and barriers to using AT, as
well as its popularity. Three groups of eleven senior citizens (ages 62 to 85) each focused on a particular
age-related case example. Statements have been divided into three categories based on content
analysis: the affected person, their surroundings, and helping equipment. The most frequently
mentioned subject was information (knowledge, consultation), which was then followed by remarks
regarding daily activities and the usage of assistive technology. Economical commentary was given the
least weight. The major barriers to AT adoption don't appear to be concerns with acceptance but rather
a lack of awareness about AT and where to find counseling. Therefore, it is important to give users and
their families access to consultation that is coherent, promoted, and available. Healthcare practitioners
that complete AT training may have more chances.

Marina Liselotte Fotteler. (2021). Obstacles to Using Assistive Technology for Older Adults. Retrieved
May 2021, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351923985_Obstacles_to_Using_Assistive_Technology_for_
Older_Adults_-_Results_from_a_Focus_Group_Analysis