Measuring the Effectiveness of Assistive Technology on Active Aging: Capturing the Perspectives of Users
The United States’ Assistive Technology Act (1998) defines assistive or adaptive technology as “…any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functi
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Measuring the Effectiveness of Assistive Technology on Active Aging: Capturing the Perspectives of Users Jeffrey Jutai and Kenneth Southall
6.1
Introduction
The United States’ Assistive Technology Act (1998) defines assistive or adaptive technology as “…any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS AND RULE subsection 3). This chapter uses the term mobility assistive technology (MAT) to describe a category that includes both assistive devices (applied to or directly manipulated by a person—e.g., a cane, walker, or wheelchair) and special equipment (attachments to the original structure of the physical environment—e.g., grab bars in the bathroom) that are designed to improve mobility. It is helpful to distinguish the effects of medical and assistive technologies since the latter are especially important in supporting active aging (Jutai et al., 2009a). Medical technologies are more narrowly defined and are designed for assessment and intervention at the level of physical health and healing or, in the language of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), body function and structures (World Health Organization [WHO], 2001).
J. Jutai, Ph.D., C.Psych. (*) Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N EN5 e-mail: [email protected] K. Southall, Ph.D. Institut Raymond-Dewar Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation, 3600 rue Berri, Montréal, PQ, Canada H2L 4G9 e-mail: [email protected] A. Sixsmith and G. Gutman (eds.), Technologies for Active Aging, International Perspectives on Aging, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-8348-0_6, © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
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Medical devices are not designed to directly and appreciably improve quality of life (QoL) and well-being. These improvements are much more influenced by MAT which helps individuals to engage in life activities and participate in society. Assistive technology provides a platform to support active aging as defined by the WHO. The challenge, however, is to demonstrate the efficacy of particular devices.
6.2
Challenges for Outcomes Measurement
According to the ICF (WHO, 2001), participation refers to the involvement of an individual in a real-life situation. A participation restriction is experienced when, for example, a person has difficulty attending educational classes or other learning activities or engaging in social activities with family, friends, neighbors, or groups. Very commonly, these difficulties result from diminished mobility that occurs naturally with aging or from illness or injury experienced while aging, and many forms of rehabilitation are available to accommodate them. Participation measures, particularly those that measure subjective participation, provide important information for individuals work
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