Home Adaptations After Catastrophic Injury: What to Consider and When

With all of the stress, emotion, anxiety and hospital treatments that result from catastrophic injuries thinking about the ramifications of moving home can be put on the back burner. Whether its amputations, brain injuries, paralysis or other spinal chord injuries, arguably the first port of call should be to ensure you have a good case manager on board. They will be able to answer almost any relevant question you throw at them and will certainly be able to guide you as to the kinds of home modifications you will need to address and almost as importantly when you should begin with them.

What do we mean by catastrophic injury?

 This kind of injury refers to one that is life-altering and has a significant impact on everyday life, impacting on the ability to live independently, work and go about daily routines that are taken for granted by most people.

The when

It is a fine balance to achieve between moving too early and leaving it too late when it comes to home adaptations after catastrophic injury. This is a decision that involves liaising between doctors, surgeons, nurses and case managers. The last thing you'd want to do is to leave it late and then discharge comes and you are unprepared, but equally costly home modifications implemented before you are certain that the individual is going to be able to go home are ill-advised. Dialogue here is key. Deciding what needs doing and when will also have a financial component and prioritising will be vital, which segues nicely onto the next factor to consider...

The needs

When an individual suffers catastrophic injury there are multiple needs to consider. As well as the obvious (but easily overlooked) physical challenges that can need tackling, such as stairs, bathrooms, toilets and beds there are emotional needs resulting from mental health challenges that are equally important. Making the home safe and making it stimulating and homely are two different things and yet of equal import. Discussions with counsellors, psychologists, case managers and doctors are also vital here to come up with a list of needs, both physical and emotional and begin to prioritise home adaptations.

Adaptation examples

While there are too many home adaptation possibilities to consider and many of them depend on the nature and extent of the injury, assuming our previous definition of 'catastrophic injury' holds true there are some important general considerations. The entrance to the home will probably need modifying for wheelchair access as will the rest of the house, including any downstairs steps, narrow door frames etc. This is a non-negotiable before re-homing. Accessible showers or baths as well as bed-lifts will need installing. Stairlifts, adapted vehicles and lowered work surfaces will also be vital. There will be other practical necessities but it is also worth addressing the emotional needs mentioned before. To make the home somewhere the individual is happy to be in for long periods, think about their passions – if it's music, get a decent system that is easy for them to operate – if it's film then a big screen with accessible remote control. Decorating a little with their interests in mind will also go a long way.