Caregivers' Experiences With The Selection And Use Of Assistive Technology

Qualitative data from a mixed-methods clinical trial are used to examine caregivers' experiences with the selection and use of assistive technology to facilitate care recipients' independence. Through a thematic analysis of interviews from 27 caregivers, three broad themes were identified. "A partial peace of mind" described the generally positive psychological impacts from assistive technology, mainly reduced stress and a shift in caregiving labour from physical tasks to a monitoring role. "Working together" explored the caregivers' experiences of receiving assistive technology and the sense of collaboration felt by caregivers during the intervention process. Finally, "Overcoming barriers" addressed two impediments to accessing assistive technology: lack of funding and appointment wait times for service providers. The findings suggest that assistive technology provision by prescribers plays a beneficial role in the lives of caregivers, but access to such benefits can be hampered by contextual constraints.