Rethinking the bathroom for adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: an exploratory pilot study addressing privacy and independence

Caring for a child with cerebral palsy (CP) at home represents a major challenge and can have a significant impact on the caregiver’s physical and psychological well-being. Caregivers and professionals often feel uncomfortable with adolescents’ emerging behaviours. Adolescents’ need for privacy requ...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bernatchez, Marie-Claire, Poirier, Christèle, Morales, Ernesto, Maltais, Désirée
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/111881
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/111881
https://dx.doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v7i2.119
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cerebral palsied
Bathrooms -- Design and construction
Cerebral palsy
Adolescents
Design solution
Bathroom
Independence
Privacy
Paràlisi cerebral
Discapacitats
Cambres de bany
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Arquitectura::Disseny::Disseny industrial
Descripción
Sumario:Caring for a child with cerebral palsy (CP) at home represents a major challenge and can have a significant impact on the caregiver’s physical and psychological well-being. Caregivers and professionals often feel uncomfortable with adolescents’ emerging behaviours. Adolescents’ need for privacy requires a certain level of independence to be achieved. However, the physical environment may cause problems in achieving the required degree of privacy. The main objective of this study was to explore and identify realistic, evidence-based solutions to promote independence and privacy in the bathroom for teenagers with CP. The authors used a two-stage co-design process: the conception of the design solution, followed by validation. The results of this project demonstrate the need to combine original technical aids and environmental settings to create a safe, hygienic environment for the user. The results can guide therapists in their clinical approach to designing washing facilities that meet the hygiene and psychological needs of other adolescents, adults and seniors with mobility impairments.