Housing accessibility and its associations with participation among older adults living with long-standing spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2017 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2016.1224541 · Published: March 1, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Accessibility Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study explores the relationship between housing accessibility and participation in older adults with long-term spinal cord injuries (SCI). It investigates how objective measures of housing accessibility relate to different aspects of participation, such as autonomy and family role. The research involved assessing housing environments for accessibility barriers and evaluating participants' perceptions of their participation levels. The goal was to understand whether improving housing accessibility could lead to increased participation and autonomy for individuals aging with SCI. The findings suggest that more accessible housing environments are associated with greater autonomy and participation among older adults with SCI. This implies that modifying housing to remove barriers could positively impact their independence and engagement in daily life.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

123 older adults (≥50 years) with SCI for at least 10 years

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Housing adaptations and environmental barriers were common and differed between SCI severity groups; those with AIS D injuries had fewer adaptations and more environmental barriers indoors.
2
Accessibility indoors was significantly associated with autonomy indoors (P = 0.009), family role (P = 0.002) and participation problems (P = 0.004); more accessibility problems were associated with less participation and more participation problems.
3
The multivariable regression models showed that accessibility indoors was significantly associated with autonomy indoors (P = 0.009), family role (P = 0.002) and participation problems (P = 0.004)

Research Summary

This study examined the housing situations and participation levels of older adults with long-standing spinal cord injuries (SCI). It aimed to determine if objective housing accessibility is associated with various aspects of participation, such as autonomy and family role. The results indicated that indoor accessibility significantly affects autonomy, family role, and participation problems among older adults with SCI. Greater accessibility issues were linked to reduced participation and increased problems. The conclusion emphasizes the potential benefits of optimizing housing environments to enhance participation and autonomy for older adults with SCI. Longitudinal studies are recommended to establish the causality of the identified associations.

Practical Implications

Accessible Housing Design

Prioritize accessible design and modifications in housing for older adults with SCI to promote independence and participation.

Targeted Interventions

Develop interventions focused on optimizing housing environments to address specific accessibility barriers and improve participation outcomes.

Further Research

Conduct longitudinal studies to confirm the causal relationship between housing accessibility and participation among older adults with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Cross-sectional design limits the ability to determine causality.
2
Sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.
3
HE might not be sufficiently sensitive to environments where extensive housing adaptations have resulted in designs that go far beyond what is stipulated by the official (minimum) standards for housing design.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury