School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Bentleigh, Australia.
Disabil Rehabil. 2021 Nov;43(23):3331-3338. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1741700. Epub 2020 Apr 1.
Cognitive deficits and gait and balance problems are progressive in people with Alzheimer's dementia. Yet, mobility aids are associated with an increased falls risk in people with dementia. Our objectives were to identify the perceptions of people living with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's dementia, and their caregivers, on the use of mobility aids.
A qualitative study using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews was conducted. Community-dwelling older adults with dementia attending a day hospital program were recruited. Thematic analysis was conducted and the text was coded into broad themes aligned with the research questions. The coded text was examined for patterns and similarities, and grouped to form inductive themes.
Twenty-four people (12 living with dementia and their 12 caregivers) participated. Five themes were identified: (1) ; (2) ; (3) ; (4) (5)
The findings suggest that people with Alzheimer's dementia and their caregivers regard mobility aid use as increasing independence. There is a role for healthcare professionals to be involved in the prescription, provision and training for use of mobility aids among people living with dementia to ensure uptake and safety.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONMobility aid use is regarded as increasing independence by people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.Falls risk associated with mobility aid use was not well known and caregivers perceived mobility aids as a means to reduce falls.Most people do not see a healthcare professional when they acquire a mobility aid and there is a role for healthcare professionals to be involved in the prescription, provision and training of people living with dementia in the use of mobility aids in order to increase the uptake of aids and their safe use.
认知障碍和步态及平衡问题在阿尔茨海默病患者中呈进行性发展。然而，助行器的使用与痴呆患者跌倒风险的增加有关。我们的目的是确定轻度至中度阿尔茨海默病患者及其照顾者对使用助行器的看法。
采用半结构式面对面访谈进行定性研究。招募参加日间医院计划的社区居住的痴呆老年人。进行主题分析，并将文本编码为与研究问题一致的广泛主题。对编码文本进行模式和相似性检查，并分组形成归纳主题。
共有 24 人（12 名痴呆患者及其 12 名照顾者）参与。确定了五个主题：（1） ；（2） ；（3） ；（4） ；（5）。
研究结果表明，阿尔茨海默病患者及其照顾者认为助行器的使用可以提高独立性。医疗保健专业人员在为痴呆患者开具、提供和培训助行器的使用方面发挥作用，以确保其使用的安全性和接受度。
阿尔茨海默病患者及其照顾者认为助行器的使用可以提高独立性。与助行器使用相关的跌倒风险并不为人所知，照顾者认为助行器是减少跌倒的一种手段。大多数人在获得助行器时不会咨询医疗保健专业人员，医疗保健专业人员在为痴呆患者开具、提供和培训助行器的使用方面发挥作用，以增加助行器的使用和安全使用。
