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Table 3 Rank order of the environmental barriers contributing most to the accessibility problem score indoors, according to functional profile and housing type (N = 1021)

From: A public health perspective to environmental barriers and accessibility problems for senior citizens living in ordinary housing

Environmental barrier (n = 27)

Multi-dwelling block (n = 662)

One-family house (n = 359)

Profile I.a

Profile II.b

Profile III.c

Profile IV.d

Profile I.a

Profile II.b

Profile III.c

Profile IV.d

Indoors in general

        

 Steps/threshold/differences in level between rooms

3

10

5

2

3

10

5

3

 Narrow passages/corridors

e

e

17

17

e

e

15

18

 Narrow doors

e

e

12

13

e

e

8

9

 Complex manoeuvres required

14

12

21

20

20

18

26

25

 Use require hands

e

3

10

11

e

5

13

16

 Controls in high/inaccessible position

12

7

4

6

12

7

3

4

 Stairs to upper storey with necessary dwelling functions

19

22

24

24

6

13

17

10

 Stairs to basement with necessary dwelling functions

22

25

27

27

8

15

21

12

 No handrails/handrail only on one side

20

23

25

25

4

12

19

17

 Handrails too short

21

24

26

26

5

14

22

19

Kitchen

        

 Insufficient manoeuvring spaces around white goods

5

9

14

5

7

11

14

7

 Wall-mounted cupboards and shelves placed too high

1

1

1

1

2

1

2

1

 No surface at a height suitable for sitting while working

9

18

8

9

16

22

12

15

 Shelves too deep

8

5

3

4

15

6

7

8

 Complex manoeuvres required

15

13

22

21

18

16

24

23

 Use require hands

e

2

9

10

e

3

10

13

 Controls in high/inaccessible position

13

8

7

8

13

8

4

5

Bathroom

        

 Insufficient manoeuvring spaces where turning is necessary

11

20

6

7

17

23

9

11

 Insufficient space for stool/bath board in shower/bath

10

19

19

19

22

25

27

27

 No grab bars at shower/bath and toilet

2

6

2

3

1

2

1

2

 Complex manoeuvres required

18

16

23

23

19

17

25

24

 Use require hands

e

4

11

12

e

4

11

14

 Controls in high/inaccessible position

17

11

13

14

14

9

6

6

 Wash-basin placed at height for use only when standing

4

14

16

16

9

19

18

21

 Toilet 47 cm or lower

7

17

18

18

10

20

16

20

 Shower stall with kerb/level difference

16

21

20

22

11

21

20

22

 Bathtub instead of shower

6

15

15

15

21

24

23

26

  1. Note: Top-10 barriers of each functional profile and housing type are bolded
  2. aProfile I: Functional profile with limited mobility
  3. bProfile II: Functional profile with limited mobility and limited upper extremity function
  4. cProfile III: Functional profile with limited mobility, limited upper extremity function and dependence on mobility devices
  5. dProfile IV: Functional profile with limited mobility, limited upper extremity function, dependence on mobility devices and loss of sight
  6. eDid not generate any accessibility problem score