Knowledge and attitude of elderly regarding assistive devices : explore barriers

Assistive Device plays a significant role for improving elderly people independence and improve their quality of life. The current study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude of elderly regarding assistive devices and explore barriers that affecting utilization of assistive devices among studied elderly people. Design: A descriptive research design was used in this study. Setting: The study was conducted was conducted at outpatient clinics in Beni-Suef university hospital. Sample: A convenient sample of (86) elderly people was recruited at the current study. tools: Two tools were used I): A structured interviewing questionnaire which consisted of four parts to assess personal characteristics, medical history, effect of assistive devices on elderly quality of life, and knowledge of elderly people regarding assistive devices II): Scale to measure attitude of the elderly people regarding assistive devices. results: the present study reveals that 50% of elderly people had ages ranged from 75≥85 yrs., 65.1% of them were male, 26.7% and 38.4% of the studied elderly people had inadequate knowledge and negative attitude respectively regarding assistive device. conclusion: This study concluded that the majority of elderly people had inadequate knowledge and negative attitude toward the assistive device and a statistically significant relation between elderly people total attitude scores and their age, gender, marital status, and educational level, in addition a highly positive association between elderly people knowledge and attitude regarding assistive device. The study recommended that: Continuing educational programs regarding assistive devices should be provided for the elderly people to improve their knowledge and attitude.