Experimental Control Investigation of the Impact of Assistive Technology on the User-caregiver Dyad: a Multi-site Trial

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of an assistive technology updating and tune up intervention on users and their caregivers. This intervention includes 4 components: * an in-residence assessment of the mobility preferences of the older person and his/her caregiver * a detailed review of forms of assistance, technological and human, that are currently being used * recommendations by an occupational therapist for possible changes in the older person's mobility assistive technology or assistance strategy * therapist negotiation of an mobility assistive technology updating and tune-up intervention plan with the individual and his or her caregiver. The intervention is provided to the immediate treatment following the administration of baseline measures and the delayed intervention group six weeks later, after an additional baseline measurement. The treatment is six weeks long and the follow-up is 26 weeks. Hypothesis 1: For community-dwelling older people, an intervention that increases the appropriateness of existing or new assistive technology(AT) for mobility or self-care will alter established patterns of human assistance, such that caregiver burden is reduced or eliminated. Hypothesis 2: At the same time, AT users will report less difficulty in mobility or self-care, as well as enhanced subjective well-being, and satisfaction with their modified personal assistance strategy. Hypothesis 3: Following the AT intervention, caregivers will report reduced physical and/or psychological demands and increased satisfaction with their caregiving-related activities compared with * the pre-intervention period * caregivers in a delayed intervention control group. Hypothesis 4: Decreased physical and/or psychological demands on helpers will be associated with increases in device users' satisfaction with their personal assistance strategies.