Home Modifications for People with Spinal Cord Injury: Difference between revisions
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'''Original Editor '''- [[User:Wendy Oelofse|Wendy Oelofse]] | |||
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'''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}} | '''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}} | ||
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Housing accessibility for people with spinal cord injury | Housing accessibility for people with spinal cord injury is key to maintaining their independence, supporting health and improving 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" | The goals of home modifications for people living with spinal cord injury include increasing "usage, safety, security and independence" and ensuring 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 the modified home environment.] World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 18(01), 376–383.</ref>However, economic barriers the person faces during the home modification process may prevent them from 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 lives in the home, their resources, and 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 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 | The most common environmental barriers with accessibility problems indicated by individuals with spinal cord injury are the 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 inaccessible. | ||
=== Bathroom === | === Bathroom === | ||
Lack of grab-bar | Lack of grab-bar in shower, bath, and toilet is a recurrent problem, along with controls placed in inaccessible positions. | ||
The following are recommendations for bathroom accessibility: | The following are recommendations for bathroom accessibility: | ||
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* Lever handles if limited hand function, | * Lever handles if limited hand function, | ||
* Temperature control valve to prevent burns | * Temperature control valve to prevent burns | ||
* Hand held shower (can add hook for patient with tetraplegia to use independently) | * Hand-held shower (can add a hook for a patient with tetraplegia to use independently) | ||
'''Washbasin (Sink):''' | '''Washbasin (Sink):''' | ||
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* Appropriate height and size so that wheelchair can fit underneath, | * Appropriate height and size so that wheelchair can fit underneath, | ||
* Visible mirror | * Visible mirror | ||
* Insulated pipes under basin so it does not burn legs when seated under the basin | * Insulated pipes under the basin so it does not burn legs when seated under the basin | ||
* Angle-adjustable washbasin, extended from the wall | * Angle-adjustable washbasin, extended from the wall | ||
| Line 44: | Line 42: | ||
=== External Access === | === External Access === | ||
Two barriers generating accessibility problems outside | Two barriers generating accessibility problems outside the house or apartment include irregular and uneven surfaces, and the letterbox is difficult to reach. The most common external adaptations are: | ||
* Ramp at entrance | * Ramp at the entrance | ||
* Remote-controlled door-opening (own dwelling) | * Remote-controlled door-opening (own dwelling) | ||
* Remote-controlled door | * Remote-controlled door opening (in the stairwell) | ||
For an individual with limited upper limb strength and hand function the following adaptations are recommended: | For an individual with limited upper limb strength and hand function, the following adaptations are recommended: | ||
* Adapted key (long handled key turner) and lever handle | * 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, 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 | * Sliding door. Keep in mind that raised tracks can be difficult to cross in a wheelchair, 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 == | ||
Revision as of 00:14, 19 November 2023
Original Editor - Wendy Oelofse
Top Contributors - Ewa Jaraczewska, Jess Bell and Kim Jackson
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Housing accessibility for people with spinal cord injury is key to maintaining their independence, supporting health and improving 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 ensuring they can lead a quality of life in society.[2]However, economic barriers the person faces during the home modification process may prevent them from 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 lives in the home, their resources, and 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 the 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 inaccessible.
Bathroom[edit | edit source]
Lack of grab-bar in shower, bath, and toilet is a recurrent problem, along with controls placed in inaccessible positions.
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 a hook for a 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 the 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 the house or apartment include irregular and uneven surfaces, and the letterbox is difficult to reach. The most common external adaptations are:
- Ramp at the entrance
- Remote-controlled door-opening (own dwelling)
- Remote-controlled door opening (in the stairwell)
For an individual with limited upper limb strength and hand function, the following adaptations are recommended:
- 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, 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[edit | edit source]
Home adaptations with assistive technology can help wonders. It includes direct touch, voice operation, and 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 the modified home environment. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 18(01), 376–383.
