Home Modifications for Progressive and Degenerative Conditions

Every NDIS participant’s needs are unique. Oftentimes, they can also change over time. This is especially true for people with progressive conditions, who account for approximately 15% of NDIS participants according to the Neurological Alliance of Australia (NAA).

The NDIS supports participants with a wide range of progressive and degenerative conditions, including (but not limited to):

Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Muscular Dystrophy
Motor Neurone Disease
Huntington’s Disease

These conditions often come with higher support needs as time goes on, which home modification services need to account for. When creating NDIS plans, Occupational Therapists and home modification builders need ensure that supports are capable of evolving alongside participants’ abilities and needs.

That’s why today our NDIS home builders are focusing on progressive and degenerative conditions, and what extra considerations need to be accounted for when modifying homes.

How to balance long-term needs with immediate needs in home modifications

Woman sitting comfortably on a couch, using a mobile phone while her crutches are close by, home modification services

One common mistake when dealing with progressive conditions is focusing on current abilities. Participants themselves often make the mistake of focusing on their present needs during planning meetings, resulting in supports that aren’t future-proofed. It’s the responsibility of Occupational Therapists and home modification builders to look beyond the present and consider the typical progression of participants’ conditions and plan accordingly.

For example, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is characterised by gradually decreasing muscle strength and motor control. This often requires increasing support needs over time. Home modifications need to be designed in a way that supports long-term needs, with attention paid to how the condition will affect participants in the future.

Failure to do so can result in:

Loss of mobility
Reduced independence
Higher risk of accidents

So, what does that look like in practice?

Focus on “evergreen” home modifications

While there’s no such thing as “universal” home modifications, there are modifications that are versatile enough to support a wide range of abilities. This can have a big impact in keeping homes accessible as participant’s conditions progress.

Modifications such as door widening and stepless shower base installation can both improve safety and accessibility in the short and long-term. Kitchen design for wheelchair users incorporates principles such as wide pathways and adjustable workspaces which support participants whether they’re demonstrating early or advanced symptoms.

When modifying homes for degenerative and progressive conditions, versatility is key. Modifications that support a wide range of abilities are essential to keeping the home accessible as resident’s abilities change and evolve.

Plan with flare-ups in mind

It’s important to plan around flare-ups when prescribing home modifications. It’s especially important when it comes to progressive conditions, as flare-ups are often a good indicator of how a participants’ condition is likely to progress.

They can even part of the condition’s progression. For example, the most common presentation of Multiple Sclerosis (70-80% of cases) involves flare-ups followed by periods where symptoms stabilise. It isn’t uncommon for these flare-ups to result in ongoing or new symptoms.

Home modifications need to account for “bad days” like this. Not only does it ensure the home is accessible, safe, and comfortable at all times, but it can also ensure that modifications support participant’s future needs as well.

Prescribe modifications with room to grow

One challenge with progressive conditions is that while there may be a pattern, each case is still unique. Individual participants may progress at different rates, or their abilities may be impacted differently.

Accounting for this inherent uniqueness can mean prescribing modifications that can be easily updated or amended to keep up with participants’ needs as they evolve. This can mean modular modifications, provisions for additions, or both. For example:

Home automation systems that can seamlessly integrate additional smart home products as needed
Using modular handrails which can be extended as participants’ mobility levels change
Performing electrical upgrades to allow future installation of powered systems such as stair lifts or medical equipment
Reinforcing key areas of the home to support future modifications

These are just some examples of how homes can be modified to support additional modifications in the future. By prescribing modifications with growth, adaptation, and additions in mind, participants may be able to continue living independently for longer.

Specialist Disability Accommodation

Some existing dwellings may not be modifiable to meet the long-term needs of the resident, or not cost-effective. In this case, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) may be worth considering.

SDA is specifically designed for individuals with high support needs which home modifications and assistive technology may not be able to support on their own. They may be suitable long-term options for participants with degenerative or progressive conditions.

This can include more extensive accessibility features baked into the design, as well as provisions for support workers. As such, SDA is worth keeping in mind as a way of maintaining participants’ safety and independence in the long-term.

Click here to learn more about Specialist Disability Accommodation.

Looking for Home Modification Services in Melbourne?

When it comes to progressive and degenerative conditions, NDIS home modifications are an essential part of maintaining participant’s independence. With these principles in mind, modifications can be designed to support participants, even as their abilities and needs evolve and change.

As with any home modification project, proper planning is crucial. Just as important however is effective execution.

At Restore Home Modifications, our team are more than just builders. We come from Allied Health backgrounds ourselves, and have supported participants with a range of different needs including progressive and degenerative conditions.

Our team leverages this clinical experience and applies it to all of our home modification services, supporting participants and OTs with expert advice combined with quality workmanship.

Find out how our team can be a part of your home modification project. Call Restore Home Modifications on n 1300 333 746, or click here to request a quote.