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Frequently asked questions about mobility devices among older adults

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Key Summary Points

AbstractSection Aim

For the older adult population struggling with mobility, utilizing the right assistive device to enhance individual functionality can be difficult and prompts evaluation of common questions.

AbstractSection Findings

Older adults or their caregivers most frequently ask technical detail questions about mobility aids and answers were most often from a commercial retailer.

AbstractSection Message

Mobility inside and outside the home for older adults in need of a mobility device should include counseling from medical professionals on proper use of the device or where to find quality information.

Abstract

Purpose

To assess frequently asked questions (FAQs) about mobility devices among older adults.

Materials and methods

We searched multiple terms on Google to find FAQs. Rothwell’s classification, JAMA benchmark criteria, and Brief DISCERN were used to categorize and assess each entry.

Results

Our search yielded 224 unique combinations of questions and linked answer sources. Viewing questions alone resulted in 214 unique FAQs, with the majority seeking factual information (130/214, 60.7%). Viewing website sources alone resulted in 175 unique answer sources, most of which were retail commercial sites (68/175, 38.9%) followed by non-retail commercial sites (65/175, 37.1%). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the JAMA benchmark scores by source type (p < 0.00010) and Brief DISCERN scores by source type (p = 0.0001).

Discussion

Our findings suggest government, academic, and possibly non-retail commercial sources may provide better quality information about the use of mobility devices. We recommend medical providers be prepared to promote and provide quality resources on the risks, benefits, and proper techniques for using mobility devices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17th St., Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA

    Sydney C. Ferrell, Matthew C. Ferrell, Analise Claassen & Matt Vassar

  2. Department of the Geriatric Medicine, The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    Seki A. Balogun

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA

    Matt Vassar

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  1. Sydney C. Ferrell
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  2. Matthew C. Ferrell
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Correspondence to Sydney C. Ferrell.

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Ferrell, S.C., Ferrell, M.C., Claassen, A. et al. Frequently asked questions about mobility devices among older adults. Eur Geriatr Med 14, 1075–1081 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00815-9

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