Pathways of obtaining assistive technology and their impact on older persons

Abstract

Malta has a growing ageing population with the older person living longer and leading a healthier life. With increasing age, the risk of developing a disability increases. One way of compensating for the disability is by using an assistive technology. The aim of the study was to investigate the lived experience of older persons who use assistive technology. The objectives were to understand the lived experience of the decision-making process of older persons when seeking assistive technology; to explore the older person’s lived experiences of the pathways used in obtaining the assistive technology; and to explore the lived experience of the obtained assistive technology by the older person. A qualitative methodology was used, with data collected by means of face-toface interviews. Since it was a phenomenological study, interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to interpret and understand the significance given by participants to the experiences under study. There were seventy-eight persons, older than 65, who had applied for the Assistive Apparatus Fund, however only 4 persons were willing to participate and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two main themes emerged: the relation of participants with health care professionals, and the decision-making process of choosing and using AT. Results showed that medical help seeking was delayed in participants and that they often first sought help from friends or relatives. Participants experienced paternalistic health care professionals which they felt reduced their ability to participate in decisions. Challenging the classic decision-making model was received with mixed results. Participants preferred to carry out tasks themselves which is why they opted for AT. Professional advice about AT was provided as a result of seeking medical advice. All participants expressed the financial difficulties associated with buying an AT and their relief with the subsidy provided. The consequences of having a lack of opportunity to try out AT was experienced by participants as having difficulty to use the AT and having or receiving unexpected emotions when using the AT. Participants described the benefits of using the AT, but most felt that the AT needed improvement to fully satisfy their need.