Racial Differences of Frail Elders in Assistive Technology

Tomita, Machiko; Mann, William C.; Fraas, Linda; Burns, Lori L.

doi:10.1080/10400435.1997.10132305

Cited by 25 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Black veterans used AT more than White veterans which was consistent with the predictions from the logistic regression analyses that indicated Black veterans were 1.3 times more likely to use AT compared to White veterans (OR = 1.30 CI: 1.20-1.42). The finding of Blacks using AT more than Whites was consistent with previous studies (Loggins et al, 2013); however, it contrasts some studies reporting higher use of assistive devices for Whites (Tomita et al, 1997).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Assistive technology use and veterans: An examination of racial differences between Whites and Blacks using the HAAT model

Clay

Alston

2016

JVR

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Abstract. BACKGROUND:Many disability researchers have advocated for the use of assistive technology to enhance quality of life for persons with disabilities. However, it has been documented that minorities and veterans are two groups that underutilize the resource. OBJECTIVE: To use the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model to explore assistive technology (AT) use among veterans, specifically examining race, gender, age, socioeconomic determinants (e.g. marital status, educational attainment, employment status, and income), access to health care, general health, and disability status. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the national 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Black veterans used AT more than White veterans, which was consistent with the predictions that indicated that Black veterans were 1.3 times more likely to use AT (OR = 1.30 CI: 1.20-1.42). However, White veterans who used AT had a higher socioeconomic status compared to Black veterans who used AT. More White veterans were married, had higher educational attainment levels, were employed, and had higher income levels. White veterans also had better health coverage, fewer issues with medical costs and better general health. Whereas all of the predictors of AT use were significant for White veterans, only age (p < 0.001), employment status (p < 0.001), income (p = 0.006), medical costs (p = 0.049), general health (p < 0.001), and limiting disability status (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of AT use for Black veterans. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in AT use between White and Black veterans based on socioeconomic determinants, access to health care, general health, and disability status. Different predictors and differences in magnitude were observed. Racial differences can partially be explained by components of the HAAT model such as the type of activity that the human is engaging in (e.g. employment) and the context (e.g. the environment).

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Assistive technology use and veterans: An examination of racial differences between Whites and Blacks using the HAAT model

Clay

Alston

2016

JVR

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“…Most studies of wheelchair use consider wheelchairs as one category, i.e., a participant either does or does not use a wheeled mobility device [9][10][11]. The problem with these studies is that they assume all wheelchairs are created equal when, in fact, quite a range in cost, adjustability, and features exists.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and cost of wheelchairs and scooters provided by Veterans Health Administration

Hubbard¹,

Fitzgerald²,

Vogel³

et al. 2007

JRRD

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Abstract-During fiscal years 2000 and 2001, the VeteransHealth Administration provided veterans with more than 131,000 wheelchairs and scooters at a cost of $109 million. This national study is the first to investigate Veterans Health Administration costs in providing wheelchairs and scooters and to compare regional prescription patterns. With a retrospective design, we used descriptive methods to analyze fiscal years 2000 and 2001 National Prosthetics Patient Database data (cleaned data set of 113,724 records). Wheelchairs were categorized by function, weight, and adjustability options for meeting individual needs (e.g., axle position, camber, position of wheels, tilt, and recline options). Results displayed a cost distribution that was negatively skewed by low-cost accessories coded as wheelchairs. Of the standard manual wheelchairs, 3.5% could be considered beyond the customary cost. Regionally, 71% to 86% of all wheelchairs provided were manual wheelchairs, 5% to 11% were power wheelchairs, and 5% to 20% were scooters. The considerable variation found in the types of wheelchairs and scooters provided across Veterans Integrated Service Networks may indicate a need for evidencebased prescription guidelines and clinician training in wheeledmobility technologies.

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“…Other researchers report that minorities and nonminority elders used comparable numbers of assistive devices (Tomita, Mann, Fraas, & Burns, 1997). In one study, elderly Blacks and Whites in western New York were reported to own and use comparable numbers of physical assistive devices.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%