The Impact of Living in a Care Home on the Health and Wellbeing of Spinal Cord Injured People

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2015 · DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120404185 · Published: April 15, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Healthcare

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the impact of living in care homes on individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It highlights a gap in research, given that a significant percentage of SCI patients are discharged into elderly care homes in the UK. The research involved in-depth interviews with 20 adults with SCI who had lived in care homes. The analysis revealed a severe negative impact on their quality of life, physical health, and psychological wellbeing. The study concludes that care homes often violate the social dignity and human rights of individuals with SCI. It emphasizes the need for policy changes concerning housing and healthcare for this population.

Study Duration

Over 2 years

Participants

20 adults with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Living in a care home environment severely damages the quality of life for people with SCI.
2
The care home environment has a major negative impact on the physical health of people with SCI, leading to issues like pressure sores and infections.
3
The psychological wellbeing of people with SCI is profoundly and negatively affected by living in care homes, leading to feelings of loneliness and depression.

Research Summary

This study addresses the gap in research regarding the impact of living in care homes on people with SCI, revealing significant damage to their quality of life, physical health, and psychological wellbeing. The research connects the negative impacts to a lack of essential conditions for a dignity-enabling home, such as control, community participation, safety, and meaningful relationships. The study advocates for policy changes to prioritize accessible housing and support for people with SCI, framing the issue as one of social justice and human rights.

Practical Implications

Policy Changes

Implement policies that prioritize accessible housing for people with SCI, ensuring they are not placed in unsuitable care home environments.

Training Programs

Develop and mandate specialized training for care home staff on the specific needs and care requirements of individuals with SCI.

Housing Reform

Reform housing rules to require a significant percentage of new homes to be built to full wheelchair accessibility standards.

Study Limitations

1
Generalizability may be limited to individuals with similar experiences.
2
The study relies on self-reported data from interviews, which may be subject to recall bias.
3
The study focuses on the UK context, potentially limiting its applicability to other regions with different care systems.

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