Following a serious injury, such as complex orthopaedic trauma or amputation, recovery involves more than just medical and therapeutic interventions. It necessitates the creation of a safe home environment that promotes independence, safety, and wellbeing. This supportive foundation is vital for individuals and their families as they begin to rebuild their lives.
In this article, Tom Docker, Accommodation Expert Witness, and Jonathan Collings, the Head of Design at Steven Docker Associates, explore the crucial elements of finding, building, or adapting homes for those who have sustained serious injuries. They highlight the importance of incorporating specialist equipment, customised features, and future-proofing to create "forever homes" that allow clients to live independently and reclaim their freedom after a life-changing injury.
Accessible Homes as Part of the Injury Claims Process
Ideally, accommodation experts should be engaged as early as possible in the claims process to assist clients in finding or adapting their homes to ensure they are suitable and safe.
In many cases involving serious injuries, case managers and legal teams understand the significance of early involvement by accommodation experts. They often provide a shortlist of experts for the client to meet. After these consultations, the decision on whom to instruct rests with the clients, enabling them to build the right support team for every stage of their recovery.
The process of finding, designing, and adapting homes is inherently collaborative. It is crucial that all parties involved are satisfied with the chosen home or adaptation plan. To achieve this, we hold meetings and integrate into a broader interdisciplinary team, which frequently includes the case manager, solicitor, occupational therapist, the client, and their family.
Key Considerations in Finding a Rental Property Following a Serious Injury
Immediately after discharge from the hospital or a rehabilitation facility, clients often need to move into a rental property while their home is being adapted or a more suitable permanent home is found. When searching for a rental property, several factors must be considered, including suitability, feasibility, design, costs, location, and how well the property meets the immediate needs of the client and their family.
As accommodation experts, our initial task is usually to identify a suitable rental property for the client during the interim period as quickly as possible so the client can continue with their rehabilitation with minimal disruption.
Starting the search for rentals early allows us to perform 'desktop' reviews of properties, promptly eliminating unsuitable options. Our team’s expertise in locating and adapting properties for individuals living with disabilities enables us to quickly identify homes that will meet our clients' needs.
As part of the property search, our team at Steven Docker Associates liaises with landlords of shortlisted properties on behalf of clients to discuss necessary adaptations to ensure the home is safe. If there are any problems, such as a landlord who is unwilling to accommodate these changes, we remove that property from consideration, saving time and focusing on more suitable options.
Once a shortlist of properties is identified, we arrange and attend viewings with the client to support them through this transitional period.
Key Considerations for Accessible Homes
When searching for homes, clients living with disabilities often need to make compromises based on what is feasible. Essential features for an accessible home typically include adequate storage for medical equipment, medications, and assistive devices. For amputees in particular, a covered access area, such as a canopy carport, is crucial for a smooth transition from vehicle to home. This feature helps to prevent trips and falls in adverse weather and accommodates the frequent trips an amputee may need to make to and from their car.
Minimum space requirements and the number of rooms needed can vary depending on the type of disability and the size of the family. Additionally, the topography of the property—such as having level access and properly graded driveways—plays a critical role.
Location is also significant; being near schools, support networks, and family and friends can greatly enhance the client's quality of life.
Critical Home Modifications
Every room in the home should be accessible to the client, and we aim to incorporate key features that help them live as independently and comfortably as possible, closely resembling their life before the accident.
Kitchens need to be accessible, featuring drop-down worktops, carousels, and boiling water taps to facilitate independence. Ceiling heights must accommodate tracking hoists, and homes should have no internal steps while providing ample storage space.
Making a bedroom more accessible can involve several straightforward adjustments, such as ensuring clear pathways around the bed and furniture, adjustable lighting, and grab bars.
Ensuite bathrooms and wet rooms are often a vital part of an accessible home, particularly for amputees who need a bath for proper stump care, ongoing treatment, and pain management.
Many clients may also require a hydrotherapy pool for ongoing therapy and pain management at home. Considering the feasibility of installing these facilities during the planning and purchasing process is essential. We can assist clients in navigating this aspect to ensure a smooth and informed decision.
Future-Proofing Homes for Clients with Serious Injuries
When designing homes for clients recovering from complex orthopaedic trauma or amputation, future-proofing is a critical consideration. Preparing homes for potential use of wheelchairs and other mobility aids ensures that clients can maintain their independence and stay in their home as their needs evolve over time.
Many clients who have experienced amputations will eventually use a wheelchair, even if not all the time. For instance, they might use a wheelchair to rest their stumps. To accommodate this, doorways should be widened, and power sockets need to be raised to ensure accessibility. Strengthening ceilings to support the addition of hoists and other lifting equipment in the future is also essential. These modifications can be implemented relatively quickly and easily once a suitable house has been identified, allowing for future adaptations like lifts to be added with minimal disruption.
Planning for potential future needs, such as accommodations for live-in carers, is also crucial. Securing planning permission for future extensions at the outset can save time and prevent complications later.
Conducting thorough due diligence and making informed decisions as early as possible is essential. We always advise clients to purchase properties "subject to planning permission" to ensure that any necessary modifications or extensions can be carried out without disruption.
Renewable Energy Considerations
Given the rising cost of living, incorporating renewable energy is becoming increasingly important in the homes we design for our clients. Utilising renewable energy sources can help reduce expenses, particularly for clients who rely on powered devices and medical equipment. We often recommend installing solar panels and heat pumps during the build stage to minimise future disruptions. These installations not only offer cost savings but also promote a more sustainable living environment.
The Impact of New Planning Reforms on Building Accessible Homes
Labour has placed planning reforms at the heart of their mission to drive economic growth, pledging to boost housebuilding. The government has stated that the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill will "turbocharge the building of houses and infrastructure." However, despite the proposed changes, local planning objections are likely to remain a significant hurdle and may continue to impede housebuilding.
We regularly experience long delays with the planning applications we submit for our clients across England and Wales. Government statistics reveal that Local Planning Authorities meet deadlines for minor applications in only 10% of cases, and only 1% handle major applications within the legal 13-week time limit.
Labour campaigned on a pledge to build 1.5 million homes in five years by streamlining planning and fast-tracking major infrastructure projects. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill promises to provide more resources to hire the 300 new planners Labour has said will help speed up approvals for new homes. However, based on our experience with Local Planning Authorities, we doubt that 300 new planners will be sufficient. Even with the proposed changes and Labour's long-trailed plan to allow councils to approve housebuilding in low-quality areas of the green belt—known as the "grey belt"—we remain sceptical that the proposed planning reforms will deliver the necessary changes.
We are committed to managing this often frustrating aspect of the process with expertise and perseverance, ensuring that the design and adaptation of homes meet the highest standards for accessibility and suitability. By staying abreast of planning changes and leveraging our extensive experience, we strive to deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.
The Importance of Accessible Homes for Serious Injury Recovery
A suitable home is crucial for clients recovering from serious injuries such as complex orthopaedic trauma or amputation. It provides a safe and supportive environment for ongoing therapy, rehabilitation, and care, while helping to keep families together during challenging times.
The "ideal accessible home" depends on each client's specific needs and whether the property is intended as a temporary solution or a forever home. Although clients might need to make compromises, we aim to be realistic about what can be achieved. Our team often offers a fresh perspective on properties, adopting a 'devil's advocate' approach when necessary to ensure the best possible decisions are made.
At Steven Docker Associates, we are dedicated to ensuring that every home we help find or adapt provides a safe, supportive environment. Our expertise in incorporating specialist equipment, future-proofing homes, and navigating the complex planning landscape allows us to empower clients to regain their independence and improve their quality of life.
Our unwavering goal with each project is to ensure that homes are "Designed to Enable," underscoring our commitment to making every part of the home accessible and easy to navigate.