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We developed the Bath Device Prescription Model for use in prescribing bathing devices related to mobility and support.
Key words: disabilities * bathing * assistive devices * elderly
Abstract
For elderly persons with disabilities, bathing is a frequent activity that can be both pleasant and dangerous. Bathing involves using water in an environment with hard, smooth surfaces that become slippery when wet, and many falls occur in the bathroom. A variety of assistive devices are available to make bathing safer and more comfortable. Bathing devices rank as one of the most frequently used categories of assistive devices, yet many elders experience problems in the use of bathing devices. Study of bathing devices has been little beyond determination of the frequency of their use. In this article, we developed a hierarchical model for use in prescribing bathing devices related to mobility and support. This model, based on level of disability, is called the Bath Device Prescription Model (BDPM). Subjects were drawn from the University at Buffalo Consumer Assessments Study (n=319), which considers persons older than 60 years with disabilities. Subjects who reported difficulty with bathing (n=294) were divided into two groups based on mental status (Mini Mental Status Exam [MMSE] scores ≥24 or ≤23). This model was tested by first determining the level of disability of satisfied users of (1) bath mats, (2) grab bars in the bath area, (3) bath stools, (4) bath chairs, and (5) bath transfer benches. Level of disability was measured with the Sickness Impact Profile-physical dysfunction section (SIP-PDS), the body care and movement subsection of the SIP-PDS, the motor section of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the bathing-washing and drying item of the FIM. Subjects who were having a problem with a bath device, other than installation, maintenance, or access to the bathroom, were considered. Disability scores for these dissatisfied owners of bath devices were compared with the mean score of satisfied users of each bath device. Typically, dissatisfied owners of bath devices were more disabled than satisfied users, suggesting that they would benefit from a higher level device, following the BDPM. This study represents the first reported investigation testing a model for use in the prescription of bath devices.
The University at Buffalo Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC)...