Home Modifications for People with Spinal Cord Injury: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Housing accessibility for people with spinal cord injury are key to maintain independence, support | Housing accessibility for people with spinal cord injury are key to maintain their independence, support health and improve occupational performance. Home modification in addition to assistive technologies and training in activities of daily living (ADL) is part of home adaptation interventions. <ref name=":0">Norin L ,Slaug B ,Haak M, Iwarsson S. [http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1581614/FULLTEXT01.pdf Housing adaptations and housing accessibility problems among older adults with long-standing spinal cord injury.] British Journal of Occupational Therapy 2020; 0(0):1-10.</ref> | ||
The goals of home modifications for people living with spinal cord injury include increasing "usage, safety, security and independence", and to ensures they can lead a quality of life in society.<ref name=":1">Rahman S, Haque O, Rahman H, Moniruzzaman Sk, Subahan S. [https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2023-0584.pdf The perception of people with spinal cord injury on modified home environment.] World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 18(01), 376–383.</ref>However economic barriers the person faces during home modification process may prevent them form purchasing needed equipment, supplies, and services. Therefore the planning stage of an effective home modification requires a good understanding of the needs of the person who live in the home, their resources, as well as the support system offered by local government or private | The goals of home modifications for people living with spinal cord injury include increasing "usage, safety, security and independence", and to ensures they can lead a quality of life in society.<ref name=":1">Rahman S, Haque O, Rahman H, Moniruzzaman Sk, Subahan S. [https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2023-0584.pdf The perception of people with spinal cord injury on modified home environment.] World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 18(01), 376–383.</ref>However economic barriers the person faces during home modification process may prevent them form purchasing needed equipment, supplies, and services. Therefore the planning stage of an effective home modification requires a good understanding of the needs of the person who live in the home, their resources, as well as the support system offered by a local government or private organisations. <ref name=":1" /> | ||
This article supplies complimentary notes to the ADL, Self-Care, and Home Modifications for People With Spinal Cord Injury course. | This article supplies complimentary notes to the ADL, Self-Care, and Home Modifications for People With Spinal Cord Injury course. | ||
== Environmental Barriers == | == Environmental Barriers == | ||
The most common environmental barriers with accessibility problems are entrance to the house and the kitchen. <ref name=":0" /> | The most common environmental barriers with accessibility problems indicated by individuals with spinal cord injury are entrance to the house and the kitchen. <ref name=":0" />In the entrance the main obstacles include high thresholds and/or steps, doors not staying in open position or closing too quickly, and lack of handrails or a ramp. The kitchen wall-mounted cupboards and shelves are often placed high, the space is inadequate for manoeuvring, and controls are located in inaccessible position. | ||
== | === Bathroom === | ||
Lack of grab-bar at shower, bath, and toilet are a recurrent problem along with controls placed in inaccessible position. | |||
The following are recommendations for bathroom accessibility: | |||
'''Shower:''' | |||
* Roll in shower | |||
* Lever handles if limited hand function, | |||
* Temperature control valve to prevent burns | |||
* Hand held shower (can add hook for patient with tetraplegia to use independently) | |||
'''Washbasin (Sink):''' | |||
- | * Lever handles | ||
* Temperature control valve | |||
* Appropriate height and size so that wheelchair can fit underneath, | |||
* Visible mirror | |||
* Insulated pipes under basin so it does not burn legs when seated under the basin | |||
* Angle-adjustable washbasin, extended from the wall | |||
'''Toilet:''' | |||
- | * Wall-mounted toilet armrests | ||
* Controls/flush accessible and can be used independently | |||
* Adequate space to accommodate a wheelchair for transfers | |||
== | === External Access === | ||
Two barriers generating accessibility problems outside of the house or apartment include irregular and uneven surface, and the letterbox is difficult to reach. The most common external adaptations are: | |||
* Ramp at entrance | |||
* Remote-controlled door-opening (own dwelling) | |||
* Remote-controlled door-opening (in stairwell) | |||
For an individual with limited upper limb strength and hand function the following adaptations are recommended: | |||
* Limited hand function: Adapted key (long handled key turner) and lever handle | |||
* Sliding door. Keep in mind that raised tracks can be difficult to cross in a wheelchair if limited UL strength but it can be easier to open as it does not require one to move the wheelchair when the door swings towards you and it can be automated | |||
* | *Other considerations Other considerations: Hard flooring vs carpets Remove loose rugs Light switches – level and can it be operated Home automation – can help wonders | ||
** Environmental control units: Direct touch, voice operation, switch scanning | |||
** | |||
== Resources == | == Resources == | ||
Revision as of 23:50, 18 November 2023
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Housing accessibility for people with spinal cord injury are key to maintain their independence, support health and improve occupational performance. Home modification in addition to assistive technologies and training in activities of daily living (ADL) is part of home adaptation interventions. [1]
The goals of home modifications for people living with spinal cord injury include increasing "usage, safety, security and independence", and to ensures they can lead a quality of life in society.[2]However economic barriers the person faces during home modification process may prevent them form purchasing needed equipment, supplies, and services. Therefore the planning stage of an effective home modification requires a good understanding of the needs of the person who live in the home, their resources, as well as the support system offered by a local government or private organisations. [2]
This article supplies complimentary notes to the ADL, Self-Care, and Home Modifications for People With Spinal Cord Injury course.
Environmental Barriers[edit | edit source]
The most common environmental barriers with accessibility problems indicated by individuals with spinal cord injury are entrance to the house and the kitchen. [1]In the entrance the main obstacles include high thresholds and/or steps, doors not staying in open position or closing too quickly, and lack of handrails or a ramp. The kitchen wall-mounted cupboards and shelves are often placed high, the space is inadequate for manoeuvring, and controls are located in inaccessible position.
Bathroom[edit | edit source]
Lack of grab-bar at shower, bath, and toilet are a recurrent problem along with controls placed in inaccessible position.
The following are recommendations for bathroom accessibility:
Shower:
- Roll in shower
- Lever handles if limited hand function,
- Temperature control valve to prevent burns
- Hand held shower (can add hook for patient with tetraplegia to use independently)
Washbasin (Sink):
- Lever handles
- Temperature control valve
- Appropriate height and size so that wheelchair can fit underneath,
- Visible mirror
- Insulated pipes under basin so it does not burn legs when seated under the basin
- Angle-adjustable washbasin, extended from the wall
Toilet:
- Wall-mounted toilet armrests
- Controls/flush accessible and can be used independently
- Adequate space to accommodate a wheelchair for transfers
External Access[edit | edit source]
Two barriers generating accessibility problems outside of the house or apartment include irregular and uneven surface, and the letterbox is difficult to reach. The most common external adaptations are:
- Ramp at entrance
- Remote-controlled door-opening (own dwelling)
- Remote-controlled door-opening (in stairwell)
For an individual with limited upper limb strength and hand function the following adaptations are recommended:
- Limited hand function: Adapted key (long handled key turner) and lever handle
- Sliding door. Keep in mind that raised tracks can be difficult to cross in a wheelchair if limited UL strength but it can be easier to open as it does not require one to move the wheelchair when the door swings towards you and it can be automated
- Other considerations Other considerations: Hard flooring vs carpets Remove loose rugs Light switches – level and can it be operated Home automation – can help wonders
- Environmental control units: Direct touch, voice operation, switch scanning
Resources[edit | edit source]
- A global educational initiative of International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS)
- https://scireproject.com/ (SCIRE Professional)
- SCIRE Community: free information about spinal cord injury research that is written in everyday language
- Social mentoring network
- Educational handouts about spinal cord injury
- TIPS AND TRICKS FOR AN ACTIVE LIFE
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Norin L ,Slaug B ,Haak M, Iwarsson S. Housing adaptations and housing accessibility problems among older adults with long-standing spinal cord injury. British Journal of Occupational Therapy 2020; 0(0):1-10.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rahman S, Haque O, Rahman H, Moniruzzaman Sk, Subahan S. The perception of people with spinal cord injury on modified home environment. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 18(01), 376–383.
