RECEPTIVITY TO PROTECTIVE GARMENTS AMONG THE ELDERLY

Hip fractures among elders resulting from falls are a growing concern as the proportion of elders increases and health care costs mount. A r ecent innovation is the development of an undergarment worn to protect against hip injuries. This study attempted to determine whether a com munity population of elders would be receptive to wearing such a garme nt and the characteristics of those who would and would not be recepti ve. It was assumed that receptivity can be predicted by variables that have been shown to relate to risks of falling. Predictor characterist ics represent three domains: demographic/predisposition, health/mobili ty, and social support. A logistic regression procedure was employed t o determine the probability and odds of receptivity among elders given a profile of specific characteristics. Results were interpreted with reference to past research on risks of falling.