OBJECTIVE: Persons with limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) generally report a greater sense of independence when they have the use of assistive devices. Insurance companies have traditionally been reluctant to cover the cost of such devices, considering them to be non-essential equipment. Although the economic cost savings associated with a decrease in the need for external caregivers and institutionalization are calculable, the psychological benefits arising from this greater degree of independence seen in patients who use assistive devices tends to be overlooked. Therefore the main objective of this project was to determine the impact of assistive living devices on patients self-rated health status. METHOD: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component file 1998 P2R3/P3R1 was utilized for this project. The initial pool of 25,000 cases was narrowed using the inclusion criteria whereby all subjects must be 65 years or older, and have coded that they possessed one or more physical disabilities or limitations. This led to a final sample size of 1,025. Information on demographics, socioeconomic status and level of disability was extracted from the database for these patients. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with self-rating of health status serving as the dependent variable. The primary independent variable of interest was use or non-use of assistive living devices. Secondary independent variables included: marital status, sex, age, race, educational level, physical disabilities and limitations, and social limitations. RESULTS: Use of assistive devices, race, age, some forms of physical limitations and levels of education were significant in this model (p<0.05). Marital status and gender proved to be insignificant factors. CONCLUSIONS: Use of assistive devices does have an impact on the way in which individuals with limitations and disabilities view their health status and therefore may be important contributors to their overall quality of life.