Parental experience of home adaptation for children with motor disabilities.
Home adaptation is essential in increasing independence of children with disabilities and reducing the burden of care for parents. Physical and occupational therapists involved in home adaptations are faced with various challenges in meeting the needs and expectations of parents. This study aimed at exploring the experience of parents throughout the home adaptation process. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study, whereby we interviewed a sample of 11 parents of children with motor disabilities, using focus groups and individual interviews. Dominant themes that emerged were financial and organizational constraints, child's independence/self-esteem, respect of temporal aspects, safety, respect for parent's roles, need for information, and appearance of the home. Parents wish physical and occupational therapists to take on roles that extend beyond provision of home adaptation, such as those of consultants and advocates.
Roy
Laurence
L
School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, Canada. laurence.roy@umontreal.ca
Rousseau
Jacqueline
J
Allard
Hélöise
H
Feldman
Debbie
D
Majnemer
Annette
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D011792:Quebec; D012649:Self Concept