Examining social determinants in use of assistive technology for race/ethnic groups of older adults.
Keith Tsz-Kit Chan, Christina Marsack-Topolewski
PMID 32907405WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults with activity limitations had over seven times the odds of using assistive technology.
Black older adults had higher odds of use than Whites, while Asians had lower odds. Health insurance increased use for Whites and Hispanics, but having a personal doctor was the key factor for Black patients.
Key findings
01Having an activity limitation was associated with over seven times the odds of using assistive technology.
02Black older adults had 83% higher odds of using assistive technology compared to White older adults, while Asian older adults had 35% lower odds.
03Having health insurance was associated with higher odds of use for White and Hispanic older adults, but having a personal doctor was associated with higher odds specifically for Black older adults.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The data is cross-sectional, so it cannot prove that social factors caused the differences in AT use; it only shows associations. Participants self-reported their AT use and activity limitations, which may be inaccurate. The study did not capture the specific type of assistive technology used or the specific nature of the patient's disability. The survey excluded individuals without telephones or those unable to respond to telephone interviews, potentially missing the most disabled or isolated older adults.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the lower odds of AT use among Asian older adults as a lack of need. The study suggests this group may delay using AT until limitations are severe or support networks are lost, indicating a potential barrier to early intervention rather than a healthy avoidance.