ABSTRACT

Objective : This study aims to grasp the awareness of assistive technology by the rehabilitation workers of nursing facilities for seniors, and to research and ascertain situations for its use.Methods : 20 nursing facilities for seniors in Daegu and Kyongbuk were surveyed from June to July of 2007, and the questionnaires of a total of 233 respondents were analyzed.Results : Among the rehabilitation workers of nursing facilities for seniors, more people (56.2%) did not recognize what assistive technology is than those who recognized it (43.8%), and in the case of the latter, most of them (94.1%) answered that assistive technology is mostly helpful. Regarding the awareness according to the specialty areas of the rehabilitation workers, they were shown to be lacking in recognition (p<.05). The necessity of education about assistive technology was highly recognized (92.7%). The use of assistive technology devices was low (40.3%), and as for experience of using assistive technology devices, the wheelchair (95.3%) was mainly used and was most effective. In each area of assistive technology, the field of mobility assistance was the highest in experience of using instruments. In the area of assistive technology devices that will be needed in the future, the areas of posture and sitting assistance and daily life assistance showed rather high demands.Conclusion : It was found that although the recognition and usage of assistive technology by the rehabilitation workers of nursing facilities for seniors are at a low level, the workers highly recognize the need of assistive technology education and that an assistive technology service is very helpful to the rehabilitation of seniors.