Assistive technology and self-rated health in comparison with age peers: a longitudinal study in 55-64-year-olds.

AbstractPurpose: To determine changes in self-rated health in comparison with age peers (SRH-AP) among 55–64-year-olds, as affected by (1) initiating, (2) ceasing, and (3) prolonging the use of assistive technology (AT). Methods: Data included two national cohorts of 55–64-year-olds from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (total N = 1968), with baseline cycles in 1992–93 and 2002–03 and 3-year follow-ups. The effect of AT use on SRH-AP was studied in analyses of variance for repeated measurements, adjusting for age and self-reported disability. Results: Respondents using AT reported poorer SRH-AP than respondents not using AT. Over time disability increased for respondents prolonging and initiating AT use and decreased for respondents ceasing AT use. No major changes were seen in SRH-AP over time, except for a small improvement for respondents prolonging AT use. Conclusions: AT use had a negative influence on SRH-AP, but this influence subsided over time for prolonged AT use. Despite longitudinal chan...