• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
The Brain Health Magazine
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Brain Health Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Functional Home Design to Promote Balance

The Balance Issue

in balance
August 11, 2020
0

Modern interior of apartment, living room with sofa, hall panorama 3d rendering

Dr. Emily Reilly, MSOTR/L, ECHM

Brain injuries often have long-lasting effects that may not be visible to those around you. Once the acute injuries have healed and medical professionals deem you’re “recovered,” it can be challenging to resume daily life the way it was prior to the injury. When the physical rehabilitation is over, expectations are that you will resume the life you led prior to the onset of the injury. What people may not realize are the continuous and sometimes chronic challenges faced by a person with a brain injury, including dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), light and sound sensitivity, coordination impairments, and difficulty thinking clearly. The symptoms associated with brain injury often can have a negative impact on function and mobility, causing balance impairments and may even lead to frequent falls. Your home environment can be designed to improve your performance despite the unfavorable side effects caused by brain injury.

Home modifications, living in place, and aging-in-place are some of the latest “buzz-words.” Often associated with these terms, and accessibility, are grab bars, walk-in showers, and wider doorways. There are various certifications industry professionals and tradespeople can earn to learn how to make home improvements more accessible to the end user.

What many fail to realize are the benefits of a clinical skill set to optimize the relationship between an individual and their environment. Function and accessibility go beyond the basics of what has been marketed to us. Function, ease of use, and accessibility support how someone at any level, regardless of age, cognitive status, physical ability, or other physiological make-up, uses a space that is shared among many.

Although regulations, such as within the Americans with Disabilities Act and building codes, are set to uphold standards of inclusion and safety, there are instances in which some of the regulations are not applicable to a private residence, allowing flexibility and creativity to address the specific needs of an individual. Despite the fact that one user may have difficulty managing aspects within the home space, numerous options exist to improve how space and objects are used and allow everyone in the home to operate them without additional stress or strain. Incorporating aspects of universal design as well as taking into consideration the daily routines and preferences of the home’s residents can provide creativity and highlight style aesthetics without compromising safety and independence. Utilizing design features that enhance performance provide opportunity to minimize the negative effects of balance impairments.

Choosing features to minimize exacerbation of symptoms can be a key component in the optimal management of day-to-day tasks and can lessen the risk of falls, curbing medical costs associated with frequent doctor or hospital visits, and even decreasing the need for caregiver support in some instances. Below are the top three tips to consider when designing your space after brain injury to better manage balance issues:

  1. Minimize Noise:
    1. It can be easy to become distracted by external sounds, and even worse when experiencing difficulty focusing or constant tinnitus (ringing in the ears). When the brain has a difficult time processing, it may provoke symptoms. Throughout the entire home it is advisable to explore room by room and identify potential risks such as the constant tick-tock of a standard clock, the sound of the hot water heater turning on, the drone of the washer and dryer, and even the dishwasher. What is it like to listen to the water running from the faucets, the shower, and even the toilet flushing? Squeaky hinges on doors and cabinets, or slamming doors may cause problems. Taking time to become aware of your environment can help to identify triggers and provide the opportunity to choose replacement fixtures that minimize noxious sounds. Additionally, there are ways to include accessories such as drapes, pillows, and various materials that absorb and distribute sound. The less ringing in your ears and the less your body has to work to process extraneous sounds, the more you can focus on mobility.
  2. Light Things Up:
    1. Eyesight is a primary sense used in supporting balance. Ever notice a difference when standing with your feet together and your eyes open compared to your eyes closed? You may feel you tend to sway a bit more when your eyes are closed. Vision and balance match very closely together. Layering light throughout the home helps to accommodate the various activities we complete throughout a day. Completing another room by room self-assessment can help to identify areas that may benefit from alternative solutions. Things to consider when assessing light are the intended use and the result. Are there shadows or glare? Does the user experience eye strain or headaches? Is depth perception impaired? Inadequate lighting may contribute to error and injury. Automatic timers, motion sensor features, and broad-spectrum options may improve performance. There are different needs throughout the home: the kitchen will require different lighting concepts than the office or bathroom. Don’t forget the exterior entryways, illuminating walkways, thresholds, and doorknobs to improve ease of use.
  3. Elevate Your Reach
    1. Bending, stooping, twisting and turning are common motions we do throughout the day. Individuals suffering a brain injury may experience dizziness, nausea, ringing in the ears, headaches, and imbalance, which may be debilitating if provoked. Consider the layout and placement of the most frequently used items on a daily basis. Where are they located? What type of motions are required to retrieve or use those items? When bending and stooping or reaching overhead there may be postures that are constantly causing discomfort. To minimize unnecessary postural strain it would be advantageous to reorganize, declutter, and replace items that are not serving you in a functional way. Storage items including drop-down and roll-out shelves, deep drawers, adjustable height closet rods, and raised appliances are all solutions that limit dynamic postures that may exacerbate symptoms. Think about placing items within reach while seated and standing to offer a better indication of access for all members of the household as well as potential accommodations to limit unfavorable postures.

Whole-home design can take a great deal of time and investment. It is important to hire a team that understands your personal needs beyond the aesthetics in order to optimize function. Consider an open-concept design, minimize clutter, ensure adequate lighting, use contrast colors and limit the use of patterns. Be sure to implement slip-proof flooring and incorporate a design that promotes energy conservation, safety, and independence.

“Live Your Life with Purpose!”

Emily Reilly, DHSc, MSOTR/L, ECHM

Dr. Reilly is the Founder/CEO of Purposefully Home. With a background in occupational therapy, home modifications, and the person/environment relationship, Dr. Reilly works with individuals and their care teams to optimize the functionality of the home environment. www.purposefullyhome.com

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare Via EmailPinterest

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Next Post

The Energy Field and Balance

SIGN UP

BLOG

close up of a pretty black woman with curly hair sleeping in bed closed eyes

4 Things That Most Concussion Patients Should Worry About More Than CTE

By Jonathan Chung, DC Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) has played an important role in bringing awareness to the long-lasting problems associated with repetitive head injuries. The high-profile deaths and autopsies, like NFL linebacker Junior Seau’s, have put contact sports under the microscope as public concerns about concussions have increased dramatically. The heightened public awareness and […]

Read more

March Tarot Reading: Balancing Act

by Sam Black It is time to shift your balancing act to a new perspective.  You are ready to put some of those balls down and instead focus on balancing responsibility with fun and play.  Allow your feet to dance, your heart to sing and your eyes to capture the beauty in nature!  By embracing movement and play […]

Read more

February Tarot Reading: The Eclipse

by Sam Black The eclipse is a gift, one that does not come to us every day.  It is important to not stare so long at the beauty that you become blinded.  Some things are meant to come in to our lives as special events to be cherished and greeted only on rare occasions as to not […]

Read more

January Tarot Reading: Embrace Your Inner Goddess

by Sam Black Your feminine/masculine power wants to show itself and your inner strength and beauty wants to shine.  Be cautious to not hide yourself behind false statements and question what truly feels true to you.  You are hungry for more and it is time to allow your inner desires to be fulfilled.  Part of nurturing others is […]

Read more

The Life and Death of an All-American, Hometown Boy

by Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief With the release of the book Love, Zac: Small Town Football and the Life and Death of an American Boy by Reid Forgrave, we are given an intimate look inside the diaries and journals of Zac Easter, who was convinced his increasing mental health issues were because of CTE, the result […]

Read more

New Year’s Day Workshop

 Join me for a day of extreme self care, while getting clear on what you want to bring into your life for 2021!! In this 6 hour workshop you will learn how to incorporate yoga*, mindfulness, essential oils, intentions, and affirmations into helping you create the year (and life) you WANT! Connecting the mind […]

Read more

December Tarot Reading: Loch Ness

Embrace the mysteries in our world and beyond.  There is beauty in the unknown and excitement in the stories that they leave behind.  You are a work in progress and being a little mysterious does not make you a monster.  Be true to who you are today and take inspiration from the tales that are created around your […]

Read more

BOGO Sale — Buy One Give One Print Subscriptions

This holiday season we are offering you the opportunity to give the gift of The Brain Health Magazine, while enjoying one for yourself! Buy one print subscription, give one to a friend or loved one! Terms and conditions * only your paid subscription will auto renew in one year * one year subscription for $25, […]

Read more

Black Friday through Cyber Monday SALE

This Black Friday through Cyber Monday receive discounted pricing on my book and life coaching packages! They make great Christmas gifts for a loved one in your life! In addition to getting an autographed copy of the book with FREE SHIPPING — I will be donating $1 from every book sale to LoveYourBrain on #GivingTuesday  […]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

© Copyright 2019 | The Brain Health Magazine

  • Advertise With Us
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us

DISCLAIMER: THIS MAGAZINE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE - View PDF

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.