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Translating high quality research specific to better design and building practice
Translating high quality research specific to better design and building practice

Research Library

The HMinfo Research Library contains an in-depth collection of materials on home modifications and related subjects.

The Research Library does not lend books and other items. Under special circumstances, requests to use the library may be made by emailing .

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Evaluation of bath grab bar placement for older adults

Technology and Disability

Author: Sveistrup, H., Lockett, D., Edwards, N. , Aminzadeh, F.
Year: 2006
Type: Journal Article

Abstract:

The patterns of use, perceived usefulness and perceived safety of five different configurations of bathtub grab bars were evaluated by 103 community-living seniors in Canada. Current bathing activities, fall history, sociodemographic characteristics, balance measures as well as details about the home bathing environment were recorded. Participants were then videotaped as they got into, sat down, got up and exited a bath tub using each of the five configurations. The videotapes were used to determine the pattern of grab bar use for each configuration and participants ranked each configuration for perceived function and safety. The five configurations corresponded to standards published by the Canadian Standards Association, the US Uniform Accessibility Standards, a modification of the Ontario Building code (OBC, a Canadian provincial code), a "common configuration" and a composite configuration. Although most respondents did not have bathtub grab bars installed in their home, those with home bars reported that they used the bars on a regular basis. Significant differences in mean ratings of safety, comfort, ease of use, helpfulness, likelihood of use, and total composite score were detected between configurations with the modified OBC configuration consistently ranked least favourable. There were no statistically significant relationships between the respondents' profiles, their preferred configurations or their patterns of bar use. A series of recommendations and suggestions for future research are made.

Further Details

Full Title Technology and Disability
Pages 11
Volume 18
Issue 2
Section 45
Accession Number November, 2010
Keywords Housing, design, modification, grabrail, bathroom

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