Participation in Everyday Life Before and After a Housing Adaptation

Abstract

Housing adaptation aims to enable clients to live independently in their own homes. Studies focusing on participation in everyday life following a housing adaptation are lacking and needed. This study aimed to explore housing adaptation clients' experiences of participation in everyday life before and after a housing adaptation, through the lens of a housing adaptation, using a qualitative follow-up design, with 11 participants. It was found that when the housing adaptation met the participants' needs, performance of activities improved and the housing adaptation opened doors to engagement and participation in everyday life. Thus, focus on performance and engagement in everyday life at the onset of the housing adaptation process, combined with regular follow-ups, may enhance participation.

Reflections on Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Impact of Housing Modification/Adaptation* for Supporting Older People at Home: A Discussion

“…Issues of inclusive/universal design need wider discussion, incorporating flexibility that allows for change across the life course (Goldsmith, 2000;Imrie & Hall, 2001). This also addresses what Thordardottir et al (2019) saw as an issue for on-going home modification. The ergonomics of mainstream housing need further examination, and the evidence base developing in home modification research needs to be incorporated into guidance for new build of domestic housing for all ages.…”

“…To develop this further, it is interesting to compare the findings of Aplin et al's work in this issue and the study undertaken by Thordardottir et al (2019). Aplin et al undertook a Post-Modification Survey for people who had modification work in the past two years (N=31 across housing types); while Thordardottir et al undertook a qualitative longitudinal 'before and after' study, in which in-depth interviews were undertaken before the modification and then at 3 and 12 months after completion (N=11 living in urban apartments and single-family homes).…”

“…There can be a reluctance to plan for future needs for care or assistance or for home modifications (Beach, 2016;Ipsos MORI, 2015;Renaut, Ogg, Petite, & Chamahian, 2015) and it has been noted that people may change their ways of coping with or without environmental modification (Mackenzie, Currer, & Byles, 2015;Thordardottir et al, 2019). In this special issue, long-term planning is noted for younger people with disabilities in Australia (see Aplin et al, 2020), whereas supportive housing and care homes are viewed as more important in later life.…”

“…In addition, what and how are outcomes being measured? In this edition, empirical consumer research is central to the work ofThordardottir, Malmgren Fänge, Chiatti, and Ekstam (2019) from Sweden as well as Aplin et al from Australia. For this discussion we also draw on research from the USA byStark, Keglovits, Arbesman, and Lieberman (2017); work by Ainsworth, Aplin, Gustafsson, and de Jonge (2017), and further UK material fromPowell et al (2017) andBailey et al (2018).…”

Relocating or ageing in place? A story of housing modifications in rural NZ

“…The place that had been 'home' had become mentally and physically challenging, if not debilitating. For James and Anne the experience of being at home while waiting for modifications was more akin to that of 'a prison and a place of terror' rather than the idealised concept of home as a 'haven or place of love' (Golant, 2015) The housing modifications enabled the efficient performance of self-care activities and, whether assisted or not, appeared to provide a foundation from which to expand the occupational lives of the participants (Thordardottir, Fänge, Chiatti, & Ekstam, 2018).…”