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QuickStats: Use of Equipment or Assistance* for Getting Around Among Persons Aged ≥50 Years — National Health Interview Survey, 2014–2015†

Weekly / December 16, 2016 / 65(49);1416


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The figure above is a bar chart showing that during 2014–2015, 13.9% of persons aged ≥50 years used equipment or received assistance for getting around. Specifically, 9.6% of persons aged ≥50 years used a cane or walking stick, 5.8% used a walker or Zimmer frame, and 5.3% had assistance from another person. Wheelchairs or scooters were used by 3.5%, crutches by 0.7%, and artificial limbs by 0.6%.

* Use of any equipment or assistance in response to the question, “Do you use any equipment or receive help for getting around?” Other responses were based on the follow-up question, “Do you use any of the following?” and these response categories for those who responded “yes”: cane or walking stick, walker or Zimmer frame, crutches, wheelchair or scooter, artificial limb (leg/foot), someone’s assistance, or other type of equipment or help. Responses were not mutually exclusive. Percentages are shown with 95% confidence intervals.

† Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population and are derived from combining the 2014 and 2015 National Health Interview Survey Sample Adult Functioning and Disability Files.

In 2014–2015, 13.9% of persons aged ≥50 years used equipment or received assistance for getting around. Specifically, 9.6% of persons aged ≥50 years used a cane or walking stick, 5.8% used a walker or Zimmer frame, and 5.3% had assistance from another person. Wheelchairs or scooters were used by 3.5%, crutches by 0.7%, and artificial limbs by 0.6%.
Source: National Health Interview Survey, 2014 and 2015 combined. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

Reported by: Michael E. Martinez, MPH, MHSA, bmd7@cdc.gov, 301-458-4758; Brian W. Ward.

Suggested citation for this article: QuickStats: Use of Equipment or Assistance for Getting Around Among Persons Aged ≥50 Years — National Health Interview Survey, 2014–2015†. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:1416. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6549a7.

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