Study of the Residential Environment and Accessibility of Rehabilitation for Patients with Cerebral Palsy / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study examined the residential environment and accessibility of rehabilitation for cerebral palsy (CP) to identify the problems with residential laws pertaining to the disabled and provide basic data on the health legislation for the rights of the disabled. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature was searched using three keywords residence, rehabilitation, and accessibility. Two items were selected residential environment and rehabilitation accessibility. The questionnaire included 51 items; 24 were scored using a Likert scale and 27 were in the form of multiple-choice questions. RESULTS: This study included 100 subjects, of which 93 lived at home and seven lived in a facility. Of these 93 subjects, 65% were living in apartments, usually two or more floors above ground, and 40% of them were living without elevators. According to the Gross Motor Function Classification System, subjects with I to III belonged to the ambulatory group and IV, V were in the non-ambulatory group. Subjects from both groups who lived at home found it most difficult to visit the rehabilitation center by themselves. In contrast, among those who lived at the facility, the ambulatory group found it most difficult to leave the facility alone, while the non-ambulatory group found it most difficult to use the toilet alone. Moreover, 83% of respondents thought that rehabilitation was necessary for CP. On the other hand, 33% are receiving rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation was performed for an average of 3.6 sessions per week, 39 minutes per session. CONCLUSION: There is no law that ensures secure and convenient access of CP to higher levels. Laws on access routes to enter rooms are insufficient. The disabled people's law and the disabled person's health law will be implemented in December 2017. It is necessary to enact laws that actually reflect the difficulties of people with disabilities. Based on the results of this study, an investigation of the housing and rehabilitation of patients with CP through a large-scale questionnaire will necessary.