New research confirms value of adaptations

A new report from The Office for Disability Issues (ODI), 'Better outcomes, lower costs', is the latest in a series from government agencies looking at adaptations and equipment. It aims to provide, once and for all, evidence of the social and financial benefits of adaptations.† The report identifies four areas where savings may be made:

1. Saving by reducing or removing completely an existing outlay

The researchers looked particularly at the savings possible in the cost of residential care and the provision of home-care. For a seriously disabled wheelchair user, the cost of residential care is £700-£800 a week, equating to £400,000 in 10 years. The potential to save money by ensuring a disabled person can leave residential care is therefore significant. The researchers identified a case in a London borough where £30,000 was saved annually by ensuring that a wheelchair user could leave residential care by adapting their home.

2. Saving through prevention of an outlay that would otherwise have occurred

The researchers were also able to find evidence of savings arising from adaptations through the prevention of accidents with their associated costs, the prevention of admission to hospital or to residential care and prevention of the need for other medical treatment.

3. Saving through prevention of waste

More controversially, the report identifies that much of the waste in regard to adaptations comes from under-funding that causes delay, or the supply of inadequate solutions that are ineffective or psychologically unacceptable.† In one case, a disabled person received additional home-care hours costing £1,440, when a door-widening adaptation costing £300 was delayed for 7 months for lack of funding.

4. Saving through achieving better outcomes for the same expenditure

Adaptations are reported as producing an improved quality of life for 90% of recipients, as well as improving the quality of life of carers and of other family members. Given the choice of home-care assisting with toileting and washing, or an automated toilet and accessible shower, unsurprisingly most value the dignity and autonomy of the latter option. The report shows that the latter may also be the cheaper option.

You can read the 'Better Outcomes, Lower Costs' report on the ODI's website.

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