Home Modifications for People with Spinal Cord Injury

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Original Editor - User Name

Top Contributors - Ewa Jaraczewska, Jess Bell and Kim Jackson  

Introduction

Housing accessibility for people with spinal cord injury are key to maintain independence, support their health and improve occupational performance.

Shower

Shower:

-           Roll in shower, lever handles if limited hand function, temperature control valve to prevent burns, hand held shower (can add hook for tetraplegic to use independently)

Basin:

- Lever handles, temperature control valve, appropriate height and size so that wheelchair can fit underneath, is the mirror visible, pipes under basin insulated so that it does not burn legs when seated under the basin

Toilet:

- Consider if the patient is going to transfer to the toilet or use a commode over the toilet

- Is the controls/flush accessible and can it be used independently

- Is there adequate space to accommodate a wheelchair for transfers

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

Exeternal Access

• • C1-5: Automatic door using a remote control or an environmental control unit

• • Limited hand function: Adapted key (long handled key turner) and lever handle

• • Sliding door – 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

Resources

• 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