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  4. Availability and need of home adaptations for personal mobility among individuals with spinal cord injury

Availability and need of home adaptations for personal mobility among individuals with spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2018 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2017.1308995 · Published: January 1, 2018

Spinal Cord InjuryAccessibility

Simple Explanation

This study looks at what home adaptations people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Switzerland have and what they need. Home adaptations are changes to a house that make it easier for someone with a disability to live there. The study found that most people with SCI have at least one home adaptation, like a wheelchair-accessible shower. However, many people still need adaptations, especially in the kitchen, such as adjustable countertops and cabinets. The study also found that having enough money doesn't always mean people get the adaptations they need. This suggests there may be other reasons why people aren't getting the right home adaptations.

Study Duration
September 2011 and March 2013
Participants
482 individuals aged 16 or older with chronic SCI living in Switzerland
Evidence Level
Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

  • 1
    85.1% of participants had at least one home adaptation, with wheelchair-accessible showers being the most common (62.7%).
  • 2
    Availability of home adaptations varied significantly with indoor mobility and SCI severity; those using wheelchairs or with complete lesions had more adaptations.
  • 3
    There was a considerable unmet need for adjustable kitchen worktops (78.7%) and cabinets (75.7%), which financial hardship did not fully explain.

Research Summary

This study assessed the availability and unmet need for home adaptations (HAs) among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Switzerland using data from the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey 2012. The study found that while most participants had at least one HA, there was a considerable unmet need, particularly for adjustable kitchen worktops and cabinets. Availability was associated with indoor mobility and SCI severity, but unmet need was not explained by financial hardship. The findings highlight the need for a systematic approach to the provision of HAs, addressing barriers beyond financial constraints, and ensuring that individuals with SCI are actively involved in the planning and installation of home adaptations to meet their specific needs.

Practical Implications

Improve HA Provision

Improve the provision of home adaptations by increasing funding, adapting building policies, raising the number of accessible housing facilities and educating health professionals.

Address Unmet Needs

Address the high unmet need for specific home adaptations, particularly adjustable kitchen worktops and cabinets, through targeted interventions and support programs.

Consider Individual Needs

Recognize the importance of individual needs and preferences in the planning and implementation of home adaptations, involving individuals with SCI in the decision-making process.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
  • 2
    Self-reported data may be subject to response bias.
  • 3
    Moderate number of respondents in sub-categories increases uncertainty.

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