Mobility Device Use in Older Adults and Incidence of Falls and Worry About Falling: Findings from the 2011–2012 National Health and Aging Trends Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To examine mobility device use prevalence among community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. and to investigate the incidence of falls and worry about falling by the type and number of mobility devices used. DESIGN Analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the 2011–2012 National Health and Aging Trends Study SETTING In-person interviews in the homes of study participants PARTICIPANTS Nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries(N=7609). MEASUREMENTS Participants were asked about mobility device use (e.g., canes, walkers, wheelchairs and scooters) in the last month, one-year fall history and worry about falling. RESULTS Twenty-four percent of adults age ≥65 reported mobility device use in 2011 and 9.3% reported using multiple devices within the last month. Mobility device use increased with advancing age and was associated with non-White race/ethnicity, female sex, lower education level, greater multi-morbidity, and obesity (all P-values < 0.001). Adjusting for demographic, health characteristics, and physical function, the incidence of falls and recurrent falls were not associated with the use of multiple devices or any one particular type of mobility device. Activity-limiting worry about falling was significantly higher in cane-only users, compared with non-users. CONCLUSION The percentage of older adults reporting mobility device use is higher compared to results from previous national surveys and multiple device use is common among those who use any device. Mobility device use is not associated with increased incidence of falls compared to non-device users. Cane-only users may compensate for worry about falling by limiting activity.

Toward Unobtrusive In-Home Gait Analysis Based on Radar Micro-Doppler Signatures

“…These devices can compensate for decrements in balance, gain mobility and overcome the fear of falling. It is noted that in 2011, 8.5 million U.S. seniors aged 65 and older reported having assistive walking devices, with a cane being most commonly used by two thirds of the elderly [17]. In this regard, the correct use of mobility devices becomes essential to guarantee optimal support and avoid postural deformities or physical impairments with the purpose of re-establishing a normal gait.…”

Mobility device use in people with Parkinson's disease: A 3-year follow-up study

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides de- 26 Canes (ie, walking sticks) have been reported as the most commonly used MD among people with a first-ever stroke, 27 middle-aged, and older adults with multiple sclerosis, 28 as well as among older adults in the United States 29 and Europeans. 30 These discrepancies suggest that people with PD require MDs with more support than other populations, but might also reflect that using a wheeled walker may be more advantageous than a cane for persons with PD.…”

“…Large differences in MD use in terms of age, education, income, ethnicity, and multimorbidity have been reported in previous studies involving older people. 29 Accordingly, such factors deserve attention in future studies on MD use in people with PD.…”

Fatores associados ao uso de cadeira de rodas por idosos institucionalizados

“…Assim, muitas vezes estes necessitam de recursos e auxílio de terceiros para a execução destas atividades, principalmente em relação à locomoção 17 . Porém, mesmo que estes idosos desenvolvam limitações físicas decorren-tes do acidente vascular encefálico, podem apresentar um melhor desempenho, se houver maior investimento em prevenção, promoção à saúde e reabilitação, dentro das instituições de longa permanência 18 .…”