"Don't tell me that I'm getting older and more frail! Overcoming negative attitudes to Assistive Technology among older people"

This paper aims to identify the barriers that older people face with using assistive technology. The study group are members of the Wayville and Parkside Anglican Churches in Adelaide.

The initial discussion at the church about people's knowledge and attitudes to assistive technology is recorded via a questionnaire and on video. Knowledge of the risks associated with falls is also explored.

The study group's visit to the Independent Living Centre (ILC) is recorded including the information provided by the ILC's Occupational Therapists. Information about the risks associated with falls and the ways falls can be prevented is also presented. The follow-up discussion with the study group records the changes that have occurred in relation to the value the study group members now place on using assistive technology. Study group members also report their plans for the future for using assistive technology.

The paper concludes with a discussion about the 'value add' of raising older people's awareness and knowledge about assistive technology and the way it helps reduce the risk of falling. If older people can be convinced that the benefits of using assistive technology are much greater than the negative image that they are afraid of projecting, they should be able achieve a higher quality of life in their later years and more years of life in general.

Download: Paper (doc 49 kb)

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