USE AND COST OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY THE FIRST YEAR AFTER STROKE

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to compare and evaluate assistive technology given to patients treated in a stroke unit and patients treated in a general medical ward.

Method: Use and cost of assistive technology was evaluated in a randomized study comprising 249 patients during a 12-month period.

Result: Acute stroke unit care was associated with a higher prescription of assistive devices during the first 3 months. There was no difference in use and total mean cost per patient of assistive technology during the first year after stroke.

Conclusion: There was no difference in use or cost of assistive technology during the first year, but a beneficial effect was found on supplementary prescription of assistive devices during the first 3 months. The cost during the first year after stroke was a small fraction of the total costs for care and rehabilitation. It is a not expensive for the community to equip these patients and their caregivers with assistive technology, and economic resources should be available to this vulnerable group of elderly patients.