Assistive Device Usage in Elderly People and Evaluation of Mobility Level

Abstract

This study examined assistive device usage and mobility level among elderly people. The inclusion criterion was age 65 years or older; all participants were volunteers. Participants were investigated in terms of their the sociodemographic characteristics and their levels of mobility device usage in everyday life, as assessed by the Rivermead Mobility Index and the Physical Mobility Scale. The study included 58 (35.6%) women (mean age = 73.18 ± 6.62) and 105 (64.4%) men (mean age = 73.31 ± 6.59). It was found that 31% of women and 19% of men used an assistive device in their everyday life; there was no significant difference in device usage according to gender (P > .05). The most common device among men and women was a walking stick. There were no significant differences between men and women in terms of Rivermead Mobility Index and Physical Mobility Scale scores; the mobility level of men was higher than women (P < .05). Assistive device usage is important for elderly people in maintaining indoor and outdoor mobility in everyday life. Our results should be taken into consideration in the rehabilitation of elderly people, especially elderly women. The use of mobility assistive devices reduces injury risk and becomes an important factor in increasing life quality in elderly people.