Safe Bathing Project

Mission: The Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network (KARRN) is a collaborative team comprised of individuals impacted by neurological conditions, providers who serve them, members of communities in which they live, advocates, educators, and researchers who investigate these conditions. Our goal is to identify, develop and disseminate information and strategies, and maximize resources to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with neurological conditions living in rural Kentucky Appalachian counties. Population supported: Of the 420 counties that comprise Appalachia, those located in Eastern Kentucky are among some of the poorest. Approximately 80% of these Kentucky counties have a shortage of designated health professionals and healthcare resources to address life changing injuries/illnesses. This shortage is a particular burden to individuals with neurological conditions (e.g. spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke) who require a collaborative interprofessional approach in order to achieve long]term improvement in health outcomes and quality of life. KARRN seeks to identify and address the needs of these individuals living in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Research: Initial funding for KARRN was through a grant by the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The initial study examined the health and quality of life related supports and challenges from the perspective of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and their families, as well as from that of health care providers who treat these individuals. Multiple themes were established with respect to barriers and supports to healthcare in rural Kentucky. These included the lack of and need for connection among those with SCI living in the community, issues related to limited personal and systemic resources, a need for increased specialized SCI knowledge among rural healthcare providers, and a need for greater advocacy for and among this population. Results from the first study as well as an assessment of available community assets (Asset Mapping) were used to develop goals for KARRN. KARRN recently finished a 3]year grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities, to expand the capabilities of our organization. We continue to broaden our scope to work with individuals who have suffered a stroke and brain injury. We are continuing to identify individuals (e.g. persons with neurological disorders, caregivers, community advocates, and healthcare providers) as well as community and state level organizations interested in partnering with us to help to improve the overall health, healthcare and quality of life individuals with neurological conditions living in Appalachian KY. Projects of KARRN members include: -- Development of a Kentucky Congress on Spinal Cord Injury. -- Development of educational materials covering a variety of topics including: -- Accessibility of KY state parks for people in wheelchairs. -- How to perform a variety of safe transfers for individuals in wheelchairs. -- Falls risk prevention. -- Database of community resources by county. -- Projects with the Kentucky AgrAbility Program to assist farmers with disabilities. -- Examination of the supports and barriers to healthcare for persons who are post]brain injury living in rural communities. -- Development of an Appalachian Stroke database. -- Development of a quick reference of resources for individuals with TBI. -- Project CARAT (Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology).