Lifeworld perspectives on assistive devices: Lived experiences of spouses of persons with stroke

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how spouses of persons with a disability following stroke describe their lived experiences regarding assistive devices in everyday life. A phenomenological lifeworld approach was used and conversational interviews were conducted with 12 spouses. Their lived experiences of assistive devices were explored in relation to four lifeworld existentials intertwined in everyday life. The results showed that lived body concerns aspects of feelings, habits, and incorporation of the devices with one's own body. The devices are, from the spouses' perspective, a prerequisite for their partner with stroke living at home. Successively the devices are incorporated into the couples' homes, and they provide a new view of the environment, aspects related to lived space. The devices bring about a changed relation to lived time, related to past, present, and future. Further, lived human relation concerns changed relationships to husbands/wives with stroke, including a great responsibility due to the devices and their usage. The results also included stigmatizing aspects and a twofold relationship to health professionals regarding participation in decisions about prescribing assistive devices. Understanding the unique meaning of assistive devices from the spouses' perspective is vital for occupational therapists prescribing such devices.

Exploring the meaning of a new assistive technology device for older individuals

“…The results from this study confirm previous studies showing that spouses are profoundly influenced by the introduction of an ATD [31] and that the use of an ATD can benefit caregivers by decreasing their required efforts [32,33]. In addition to expanding participation for older individuals in their diverse contexts, the introduction of an ATD can also provide other people with new abilities with which to address their difficulties.…”

Performance of activities of daily living in a sample of applicants for home modification services

“…This can be interpreted as demonstrating that HM is a solution resorted to when environmental barriers and difficulties remain after assistive devices have already been tried. Pettersson and colleagues (40) have demonstrated that there is a hierarchy related to the use of assistive devices and assistance from other people. People tend first to try to manage activities of daily living with assistive devices and then in a second step ask for help from other people.…”

Soil conservation in Swiss agriculture—Approaching abstract and symbolic meanings in farmers’ life-worlds

“…While the life-world concept has been adopted in many scientific disciplines such as health, education, ethnology and cultural studies (e.g. Olufemi and Reeves, 2004;Pettersson et al, 2005;Hodge, 2008), to our knowledge it has rarely been used in studies on sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. The works of Currle (1995) and Long (2001) are valuable exceptions.…”