The Impact of Experience and Heuristics on Everyday Decisions to Use Mobility Devices: The Need for Control in Nine African-American Older Adults

Abstract

Nine African-American older adults participated in this ualitative research study to examine decision making and problem-solving related to current and potential mobility device use. Focus group and individual narrative interviews were conducted. Results indicated that older adults use their own past experiences, observation of others using or considering use of mobility devices, and rules as heuristics for making decisions about device use. The desire to maintain control of one's physical and social environments guided decisions about using mobility devices. Participants in the study sought ways to manage decreasing capacities for mobility that preserved self-image while altering the environment as little as possible. Therefore, mobility device use was considered a last alternative because it represented a more permanent and drastic environmental alteration than these community-dwelling older adults were prepared to accept. Suggested guidelines for using the results in practice are provided.