복지용구 전시체험관 경험을 통한 인식 변화: A 전시체험관을 중심으로

Abstract

Objective : This study investigated to improve the perception about using assistive devices, the physical function of the elderly, and long-term care insurance through an aging-friendly experience exhibition.
 Methods : From October 2022 to March 2023, a survey was conducted to investigate how visitors’ perception changed after attending an exhibition program—specifically, after experiencing and learning about assistive devices. Among the 358 visitors, 305 expressed an interest in participating in the survey and were categorized according to whether they or their family members used assistive devices. Using a structured questionnaire, we designed the survey to assess their understanding of the physical function of the elderly, long-term care insurance, and assistive devices; their satisfaction and opinions about the necessity of the experience exhibition; and their satisfaction regarding the products targeting assistive device users or their families. Descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed using the STATA 17 program and SAS enterprise 8.2. 
 Results : Overall, the experience exhibition improved visitors’ understanding of long-term care insurance, the physical function of the elderly, and the necessity of assistive devices (p<.0001). Comparisons by groups, determined according to whether assistive devices were used, also showed an overall cognitive improvement following the visit (p<.0001). The assistive device user group showed a relatively high satisfaction of using expensive devices in the order of electric beds, adult walkers, and manual wheelchairs. 
 Conclusion : The results confirmed the effect of the exhibition on improving visitors’ perception about assistive device usage. Based on these results, it is necessary to organize such exhibitions mainly in areas with a high older population so that assistive device users or their families can experience various products and become more educated about the correct use of such devices.