The Relationship of Functional Independence to Assistive Device Use of Elderly Persons Living at Home

This study explored the relationship between use of assistive devices and functional independence for noninstitutionalized elderly. Predictors of functional independence (including age, sex, education, mental status, physical disability, and visual impairment) were determined through correlation analysis on a sample of 364 subjects. From this sample, 117 pairs of subjects were matched on these predictors and compared for levels of functional independence relative to assistive device use. For 60 pairs, the subject who used more assistive devices was more functionally independent than the subject who used fewer devices. For 36 pairs, the opposite was found. For 21 pairs, the results were mixed: Within most pairs, the subject with more devices was more independent in ADL but less independent in IADL. Results suggest that increased use of assistive devices relates to increased functional independence.