When deciding whether or not to employ assistive technologies, older persons often base their

choices heavily on their identity and self-image. They may reject assistive technology that they
feel is stigmatizing or ageist in order to protect an identity that is linked to autonomy,
competence, and independence. It is important to make sure that assistive technology does not
reinforce pre-existing prejudices about aging in order to encourage and promote their adoption.
Certain assistive devices are less likely to be used by older persons because of their concern
about being stigmatized or discriminated against. In a society where infirmity is all too frequently
equated with aging, robots, alarms, and mobility aids are perceived as a visible symptoms of
aging. Healthy aging depends on maintaining independence and autonomy, and older people
don't want to be viewed as a burden. This is why technology that increases autonomy in routine
tasks might be viewed favorably. Older folks prefer to employ technologies they can control
because they want to be in charge of their lives. Others, on the other hand, view the usage of
assistive technologies as a confirmation of their loss of independence and reject both this
unfavorable perception and the accompanying devices. Others worry about relying too much on
assistive technology. Prior to recently, utility overruled aesthetics in the design of many
technologies for older individuals (which refers to appearance, feel, and size). However, elderly
individuals like covert technology because they want to avoid any potential humiliation or stigma
that can come with it. Many senior citizens save the decision to adopt assistive technology for
last-resort situations, such as when they become crippled, unwell, lonely, or demented or when
their doctor encourages them to do so. Again, if people feel that this advice conflicts with how
they see their own abilities, they can still doubt it. It's common for older adults to prefer staying
home and skipping important social and community events to using technology that prioritizes
their impairment. Many older individuals worry that they may be being watched and that their
data may be stolen or used against them, despite the fact that some are eager to accept
technological integration into their lives in exchange for improved security, independence, and
autonomy.
REFERENCE:
McMaster University (2020). Assistive technologies: It’s not for me, I’m not there yet. Retrieved
July 29, 2020. From
https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2020/07/29/assistive-technologies-it-s-
not-for-me-i-m-not-there-yet#:~:text=Identity%20and%20self%2Dimage%20play,perceived
%20as%20stigmatizing%20or%20ageist.
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. The economical commentary was given the least weight. The
major barriers to AT adoption don't appear to be concerned 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 a consultation that is coherent, promoted, and available. Healthcare
practitioners who complete AT training may have more chances.
REFERENCE:
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_Technolog
y_for_Older_Adults_-_Results_from_a_Focus_Group_Analysis