‘I Feel So Much Safer’: Unravelling Community Equipment Outcomes

Abstract

Health and wellbeing outcomes are the new currency of health and social care commissioning. To explore the extent to which community equipment had an impact on the health and wellbeing outcomes of choice and control, quality of life and personal dignity, a postal survey was carried out among a sample of adults who had been prescribed community equipment by social or primary care services to meet mobility, domestic, personal care or sensory needs. A response rate of 52% (251) was achieved. Seventy-eight per cent of respondents reported that they were using all the equipment prescribed. Bathing equipment tended to be either very successful or not used at all. Of those who had used all or some of the equipment prescribed, 91% reported feeling safer and over 80% said that it made a positive difference to their independence, quality of life or ability to do things when they wanted. The provision of equipment had less of an impact on reducing the need for assistance at home, particularly from paid carers. The practice implications highlighted by the findings focus on the need to review the opportunities available for maximising effective use of bathing equipment.

Raising Awareness of Assistive Technology in Older Adults Through a Community-Based, Cooperative Extension Program

“…Assistive technology usage may help an individual compensate for disabilities (Edwards & Jones, 1998) and may promote independent living (Kaye, Yeager, & Reed, 2008;Sainty, Lambkin, & Maile, 2009). The use of assistive technology has also been linked to a reduction of the amount of personal help needed (Hoenig, Taylor, & Sloan, 2003), and may offer individuals opportunities to engage with their communities (Scherer & Glueckauf, 2005;Schreuer, 2009).…”

The Effectiveness of Local Authority Social Services' Occupational Therapy for Older People in Great Britain: A Critical Literature Review

“…centred around adaptations and equipment provision (Stubbs et al 2004, Forsyth andHamilton 2008). Services also focused mainly on self-care (Armstrong 2001, Brittle et al 2007, Heywood 2004, Inverclyde Council 2010, Miller and Foulkes 2011, Sainty et al 2009, Tucker et al 2011.…”

The use of adaptive equipment following total knee replacement

“…Non-utilisation of adaptive equipment was reported as 22% by Sainty et al (2009) and 28% by Thomas et al (2010). However, Sainty et al (2009) studied community patients who had a variety of health conditions and had ongoing health needs.…”

“…Non-utilisation of adaptive equipment was reported as 22% by Sainty et al (2009) and 28% by Thomas et al (2010). However, Sainty et al (2009) studied community patients who had a variety of health conditions and had ongoing health needs. Thomas et al (2010) investigated patients after total hip replacement and showed that the majority of patients continued to use the equipment regardless of time since surgery.…”