Awareness and use of assistive technology among older adults with vision impairments in the Midwestern United States

Abstract

Older adults with vision impairments make up more than 18% of the population of the United States (Boswell, 2000; Braille Institute, 2000). If these trends continue an estimated 13 million older adults are likely to be affected by a visual impairment or blindness in the next 20 to 30 years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2002) and the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics (2000), there are significantly higher proportions of older adults in certain states around the country. States with the highest numbers of older adults who experience a visual impairment are centered within the Midwestern region of the United States (National Eye Institute, 2002). Older adults who are visually impaired find it increasingly difficult to perform daily living activities and remaining independent. The use of assistive technology may play a significant role in the lives of older adults who are visually impaired or blind. Current research however, indicates that most older adults with disabilities, including those with vision loss are unaware of the availability of devices to improve their independent functioning (Russell, 1997; Campell, 1999; Gitlin, 2002). At the same time, studies suggest that maintaining independence is one of greatest concerns among older adults (Mack, 1997). Additionally, research has shown that older adults with vision impairments have a 15% higher probability of being admitted to a nursing home than other older adults (Moore, 1994). There is a need to examine the level of awareness and use of adaptive devices among older adults who are visually impaired or blind, and of the possible effects assistive technology may have on their quality of life. The current study examined the level of awareness and frequency of use of assistive technology devices among older persons with visual impairments in the Midwestern United States. Awareness and use of assistive technology was measured among 113 adults more than 55 years of age who were identified as experiencing a visual impairment, and who resided in the three states of Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Information was gathered through the use of a survey designed by the primary researcher for this study. Additional areas of information gathered by the researcher included demographic information, medical and health issues, safety, timeliness of services, and available funding sources. Results suggest that older adults with visual impairments were not aware of assistive technology that is available to enhance general activities of daily living. Magnifiers and Close Circuit Televisions (CCTV) were the most commonly used forms of assistive technology among participants in the survey, which corresponds to the reported limitations of reading and writing. While no statistically significant findings were found, there were some important trends to consider. Overall, participants in the study were not concerned with safety or general medical and health needs. At the same time, a large number of survey respondents indicated that they had at least one disabling condition in addition to their visual loss. Many had two or more additional disabling conditions. Deafness and cardiovascular disease were found to be the top two secondary health conditions. Perhaps the most distressing results related to the lack of available funding to support assistive technology purchases. The vast majority (87.6%) of respondents choose “self-pay” as their primary funding source for assistive technology. Results suggest the need for increased education about available technology to enhance daily living skills as well as identification of funding sources to support technology for older adults with visual impairments.