ABSTRACT

Objective : This study aims to explore the relationship between the hours of Personal Assistance Services (PAS) and the activities of daily living, and to analyze the deciding factors of PAS in order to provide an appropriate occupational therapy strategy for the disabled in a community.Methods : The participants of this study consisted of 50 people with disabilities aged 21 to 65. The participants were evaluated using an FIM to assess their functional performance of daily living activities. The PAS hours were measured using a questionnaire for the PAS.Results : The older individuals were dominant in the number of PAS users, and there was no statistical difference between living alone and cohabitating. Among the activities of daily living, “Bathing” and “Memory” were negative deciding factors, while “Comprehension” was a positive deciding factor for the PAS hours.Conclusion : PAS needs to diversify its measurement tool and evaluation method in order to base itself on the fundamental idea and philosophy of Independent Living Movement. And occupational therapists should be involved in PAS as a coordinator contributing tosocial integration for the disabled.