Table 1.
Characteristics of participants representing user perspective in the research circles (n = 26).
| Characteristic | Sweden (n = 7) | Germany (n = 8) | Latvia (n = 6) | Italy (n = 5) | Total (n = 26) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex n (%) | |||||
| Men | 4 (57) | 4 (50) | 3 (50) | 3 (60) | 14 (54) |
| Women | 3 (43) | 4 (50) | 3 (50) | 2 (40) | 12 (46) |
| Age group n (%) | |||||
| <55 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 4 (80) | 4 (15) |
| 55–64 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| 65–74 | 5 (71) | 0 (0) | 5 (83) | 1 (20) | 11 (42) |
| 75+ | 2 (29) | 8 (100) | 1 (17) | 0 (0) | 11 (42) |
| Disabilities/functional limitations n (%) | |||||
| Visual impairment | 1 (14) | 1 (12) | 1 (17) | 2 (40) | 5 (19) |
| Loss of hearing | 1 (14) | 3 (38) | 0 (0) | 2 (40) | 6 (23) |
| Reduced mobility | 1 (14) | 5 (62) | 4 (67) | 2 (40) | 12 (46) |
| Limitations in upper extremity | 2 (29) | 3 (38) | 5 (83) | 1 (20) | 11 (42) |
| No functional limitations | 4 (57) | 2 (25) | 1 (17) | 0 (0) | 7 (27) |
| Use of mobility devices n (%) | |||||
| Wheelchair | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 2 (40) | 3 (12) |
| Wheeled walker | 1 (14) | 1 (16) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (8) |
| Cane | 1 (14) | 4 (50) | 1 (17) | 1 (20) | 7 (27) |
| Living situation n (%) | |||||
| Living alone | 1 (14) | 6 (75) | 1 (17) | 3 (60) a | 11 (42) |
| Living with partner/married | 6 (86) | 2 (25) | 5 (83) | 1 (20) a | 14 (54) |
| Dwelling (%) | |||||
| Apartment | 4 (57) | 5 (63) | 6 (100) | 5 (100) | 20 (77) |
| One-family house | 3 (43) | 3 (37) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 6 (23) |
Notes: a one participant lived with his parents and siblings; therefore he did not live alone nor with a partner. More than one functional limitation and more than one mobility device could be reported.