Dependence and health-related quality of life in elderly people using assistive devices after acute stroke

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to describe dependence in daily activities as assessed with a 7-level Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and also dichotomized. Health-related quality of life was self-assessed with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) in this longitudinal study of elderly persons who used or did not use assistive devices after acute stroke. Study design. The FIM and the NHP assessments were made 3 months and 12 months (n = 151) after stroke by means of interviews done by two senior registered occupational therapists within the persons’ own context. Result. We found statistically significant differences in both dependence and in health-related quality of life between persons who used assistive devices and those who did not. Conclusion. Elderly persons with stroke who were dependent on personal assistance in daily activities reported significantly lower health-related quality of life in many of the items in the NHP. Most of the persons who were dependent used assistive devices in daily activities. The dependence in itself and not the use of assistive devices was most likely the reason for the lower health-related quality of life.