Catherine Bridge - <p>The multi-dimensional relationship between housing and population health is now well recognised internationally, across both developing and developed nations. This paper examines a dimension within the housing and health relationship – accessibility – that to date has been considered difficult to measure. This paper reports on the mixed method results of larger mixed-method, exploratory study designed to measure the impact of home modifications on Health-Related Quality of Life, supported by qualitative data of recipients’ experiences of home modifications. Data was gathered from 157 Australian HACC clients, who had received home modifications. Measurements were taken for both before and after home modifications and reveal that home modifications were associated with an average 40% increase in Health-Related Quality of Life levels. The qualitative results revealed that participants positively associated home modifications across six effect themes: increased safety and confidence, improved mobility at home, increased independence, supported care-giving role, increased social participation, and ability to return home from hospital. This exploratory research gives an insight into the potential for accessible architecture to impact improvements in community health and wellbeing.</p><div><br></div><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keywords:</span></p><p>Home modification; housing; accessibility; disability; aging population</p><p></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></p>
Accessible Housing and Health Related Quality of Life: Measurements of Wellbeing Outcomes Following Home Modifications
Type
journal article
Year
2016

The multi-dimensional relationship between housing and population health is now well recognised internationally, across both developing and developed nations. This paper examines a dimension within the housing and health relationship – accessibility – that to date has been considered difficult to measure. This paper reports on the mixed method results of larger mixed-method, exploratory study designed to measure the impact of home modifications on Health-Related Quality of Life, supported by qualitative data of recipients’ experiences of home modifications. Data was gathered from 157 Australian HACC clients, who had received home modifications. Measurements were taken for both before and after home modifications and reveal that home modifications were associated with an average 40% increase in Health-Related Quality of Life levels. The qualitative results revealed that participants positively associated home modifications across six effect themes: increased safety and confidence, improved mobility at home, increased independence, supported care-giving role, increased social participation, and ability to return home from hospital. This exploratory research gives an insight into the potential for accessible architecture to impact improvements in community health and wellbeing.


Keywords:

Home modification; housing; accessibility; disability; aging population

 

Citation
Carnemolla, Phillippa, and Bridge, Catherine. "Accessible Housing and Health-Related Quality of Life: measurements of well-being outcomes following home modifications." International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR [Online] 10, no. 2 (29 July 2016): 38-51. http://www.archnet-ijar.net/index.php/IJAR/article/view/977.
Parent Publications
Authorities
Copyright
Phillippa Carnemolla, Catherine Bridge
Country
Australia
Language
English
Keywords