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Table 5 Categories of identified barriers to home adaptations

From: Needs, benefits, and issues related to home adaptation: a user-centered case series applying a mixed-methods design

Barriers related to the social-health system

Administrative factors

The numerous administrative procedures related to home adaptations were barriers to older adults interested in adapting their homes

Financial costs

Older adults frequently identified the cost of the work as a barrier, especially if they had limited resources. The fact that home adaptation costs are the older adult's responsibility and are not reimbursed by any type of insurance is a major obstacle to their implementation

Access to information

Older adults found it difficult to know where to get clear information about the home adaptation options available. The fact that there was no specific body to inform them about home adaptation options and procedures contributed to this problem

Barriers related to professionals

Lack of interprofessional collaboration

The research team identified a lack of collaboration between health professionals and building professionals

Insufficient number of building professionals doing home adaptations

The research team found that few building professionals were trained in home adaptations for older adults or had experience in this area

Barriers related to housing authorities

Requirement to restore a home in its original state

Most property owners in Switzerland require that their property be restored to its original state when tenants leave, creating a significant barrier for many older adults interested in adapting their home