Article

The objective of this study was to compare environmental barriers,
housing accessibility, and usability before and after relocation of very old,
single-living people in the community. It also examined whether accessibility
improved after relocation compared with a simulated scenario in which
participants would have remained in their former dwellings.
METHOD: Data from the
Swedish part of the longitudinal Enabling Autonomy, Participation, and Well-Being
in Old Age: The Home Environment as a Determinant for Healthy Ageing database
were analyzed with a before-and-after design (N = 29). Mean time from before to
after data collection was 2.6 yr. RESULTS: The number of environmental barriers
was significantly reduced after relocation, especially barriers at entrances and
in bathrooms. In addition, usability was stable and accessibility improved
compared with the simulated scenario of remaining in the former dwelling.
CONCLUSION: Community-based moves to new dwellings may lead to fewer
environmental barriers and stable levels of usability and accessibility. This
relocation is a positive outcome, considering the expected functional decline in
old age.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Langue : ANGLAIS