The value of a powered wheelchair : spouses´ perspective

Abstract

Research concerning the significance of assistive technology to spouses of persons who uses technology is sparse and the impact of a powered wheelchair on spouses' activity and participation is not at all researched. Thus, the aim was to explore how spouses experience the significance of a powered wheelchair prescribed to and used by their next of kin. A descriptive design with a qualitative approach focusing on the experiences of the spouses was used. The sample comprised of 10 spouses of elderly people that have been prescribed a powered wheelchair. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the ten spouses (nine women and one man). The participants were 65-86 years of age. The questions posed during the interview concerned: i) the significance of the powered scooter for personal everyday activities, participation and quality of life; ii) the significance of the scooter for shared activity and participation; and iii) the significance of the next of kin using a scooter, from the perspective of the spouse. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results showed that the spouses experienced that their everyday life and life situation had changed in a positive way as their next of kin received a powered wheelchair. They experienced a sense of freedom that had an impact on their own activities as well as on the activities they performed together with their next of kin. The spouses expressed that they now to a larger extent shared responsibility for different tasks in the home and also how the powered wheelchair had made it possible to spontaneously do things together again and to do things with more ease. In conclusion, the narratives of the spouses of the elderly powered wheelchair users were to a great extent positive. The powered wheelchair was of great value and brought freedom to everyday life.