Date Presented 04/05/2025
This study explores the feelings and emotions toward home modifications of adults who have experienced an acute stroke. It aims to describe motivations toward recovery procedures, whether changes disrupted comfort, and how occupations were affected.
Primary Author and Speaker: Viridiana Hernandez
Additional Authors and Speakers: Roel Garcia
Contributing Authors: Roel Garcia, John Luna
PURPOSE: Few studies have explicitly stated how home modifications can impact the motivation towards recovery and successful aging in individuals who have experienced an acute physical dysfunction such as a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), or better known as a stroke. As a leading cause to disability, with 7.6 million Americans suffering from a stroke (Hildebrand et al., 2023), its important to consider resource implication and implementation with the help of patient involvement. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to discover the perception of home modifications within adults who have experienced a CVA resulting in acute physical dysfunction.
DESIGN: This phenomenological qualitative study recruited residents who were (1) 45 years or older, (2) have experienced a CVA, (3) needed home modifications, and (4) lived in the Rio Grande Valley.
METHOD: Participants who met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in this study completed a 30–45-minute semi-structured interview. Data was transcribed and analyzed for codes and themes by researcher 1 (Cresswell,2018).
RESULTS: Emerging themes included (1) perceived benefits of home modifications, (2), feelings and emotions emerging as a result of home modification, and (3) occupational opportunities as a result of home modifications.
CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of creating a client centered approach to return to participating in necessary and meaningful activities (Yao & Kabir, 2023). Occupational therapists can provide education of the proper use and need of modifications in order to promote successful recovery and minimize risks such as falls. This study empathized the need to listen to our patients and incorporate their input to increase compliance with recommended home modifications and contribute to positive outcomes.
References
Hildebrand, M. W., Geller, D., & Proffitt, R. (2023). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults With Stroke. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.077501
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing among Five approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Wiseman, J. M., Stamper D.S., Sheridan, E., Caterino, J.M., Quatman-Yates, C.C., & Quatman, C.E. (2021). Barriers to the Initiation of Home Modifications for Older Adults for Fall Prevention. National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1177/2151459321100216
