Centre for Policy on Ageing



Maintaining independence through home modifications — a focus on the telephone
Author(s)	Angelene N Cream, Margaret H Teaford
Journal title	Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, vol 16, nos 3/4, 1999
Pages	pp 117-134
Source	Haworth Document Delivery Service, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA.
Keywords	Independence ; Living in the community ; Telephone ; Architectural design [housing [elderly]].
Annotation	Many modifications can be made to maintain older people's independence, but use of the telephone is essential in dealing with emergencies, arranging for care, and socialising with family and friends. This study investigates whether older people have made changes to their homes, to make the telephone more accessible, and if so, what changes they have made. Reasons for not making modifications are also examined. The sample included 34 over 65s living alone in the community as homeowners and renters. A questionnaire was administered in participants' homes, including information about telephone location. Subjects reported making few modifications to their telephone; most had three to four telephones. The most common technology related to the telephone used was an answering machine.
Accession Number	CPA-000531221 A
Classmark	C3: K4: UJ: KE:YB3
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.