Updated Analyses of Trends in Use of Assistive Devices. Trends in Device Use

Between 1984 and 1999, the proportion of chronically disabled community residents using assistive devices, with or without help, for all activities doubled to nearly 30 percent; the proportion relying solely on help fell. Almost 1 million more elders were using devices with at least one activity in 1999 than in 1984.

Most of the increase in device use was in independent device use. Nearly one-quarter of disabled elders managed all chronic disabilities with only devices in 1999, and almost two-thirds used devices independently for at least one activity.

Bathing was the only activity with a strong upward trend in independent use of devices and a similarly strong downward trend in sole use of help, but significant increases in independent use of devices occurred for all four mobility-related ADLs--bathing, getting around inside, transferring, and toileting--and for getting around outside.

Simple devices for mobility, bathing, and toileting--walkers, canes and crutches, tub or shower seats, and raised toilet seats--continued to be the most common devices and saw the largest increases, although wheelchairs and scooters also nearly doubled in prevalence.