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R2b. Prospective Analysis of Needs of Frail Elderly Users

Project Director: Jo Taylor, RN, MPH, Wesley Woods

Co-Investigator: Joanna Anderson, MPH, Wesley Woods

Timeline: Year 1 (12 months)

Specific Aims:
Elders who use wheelchairs for mobility have some unique needs that reflect their functional status, the environment of use, and reimbursement policy. Although the majority of elders in residential care environments use wheelchairs, very little assessment of their needs has been done in conjunction with facility needs. Subsequently, little attention to these needs have been incorporated into the design of mobility devices and products. A comprehensive assessment of wheelchair use by frail elders is the first step in improving the design and market availability of wheeled mobility technologies. Design improvements that increase safety, improve function and posture, minimize skin problems, and maximize caregiver utilization must be based on a thorough examination of the particular needs of residential wheelchair users, facility staff, and facility administration. The assessment process for this project will focus on the needs of frail elderly wheelchair users living in two different levels of residential care environments, SNFs (or nursing homes) and ALFs.

The specific aims of this project are to 1) assess the wheelchair needs of elder users and family members of elders who live in nursing and assisted living facilities; 2) assess the needs of direct care staff in nursing and assisted living facilities; 3) assess the needs of administrators who are often responsible for the purchase of these chairs; and 4) develop design criteria that will be used in the development of a new wheelchair for frail elders in Project D2.

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