Spinal Cord Injuries:

The Economic Aftermath of Quadriplegia

DURABLE GOODS AND EXPENDABLE COMMODITIES AGE 35 TO 55

A. ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENTS

Modification, renovation and remodeling of a 1600 square foot, single-family residence into a barrier-free, wheelchair accessible living and property environment. Widening of hallways and doorways, installation of ramps, railings, grab bars, roll-in shower, power actuated door systems, slings and transfer systems. Space provision for therapy, physical conditioning and storage of durable goods and supplies. Plumbing and electrical control and switch modifications. Construction of covered passageway between residence and transportation. A construction cost range of $150,000.00 to $200,000.00 ($175,000.00 median), with a seven to twelve year useful life (9.5 years median). Annual median cost of $18,421.05

B. ROLL-IN SHOWER MODULE

Modular roll-in shower system with plumbing fixtures and accessories, $2,695.00 to $2,950.00 ($2,822.50 median), with a 9.5 year median useful life. Annual median cost of $ 297.11

C. POWER ACTUATED DOOR SYSTEM

Front and rear electrically actuated door entrances/exits, $1,150.00 to $1,350.00 ($1,250.00 median each; $2,500.00/two), with a 9.5 year median useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $ 263.16

D. SLINGS-LIFTS-TRANSFER DEVICES

Mobile or ceiling mounted sling, lift or transfer devices for independent ambulation and mobility within the residence, $8,920.00 to $9,995.00 ($9,457.50 median) with a 9.5 year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $ 995.53

E. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM (ECS)

Voice-actuated or switch controlled wireless ECS for safe access to numerous electrical appliances and devices within the residence, $1,995.00 to $2,350.00 ($2,172.50 median), with a ten year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $ 217.25

F. IN-HOME PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND CONDITIONING APPARATUS

A wheelchair accessible home gym exercise and conditioning system, $4,995.00 to $5,675.00 ($5,335.00 median), with a ten year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $ 533.50

G. SPECIALTY BED SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE RELIEF MATTRESS AND ACCESSORIES

A variably adjustable bed system with pressure relief mattress and transfer devices, $3,999.00 to $4,445.00 ($4,222.00 median), with a ten year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $ 422.20

H. STANDING FRAME

A standing frame with accessories, $1,350.00 to $1,595.00 ($1,472.50 median), with a ten year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $ 147.25

I. MANUAL WHEELCHAIR AND ACCESSORIES

A mechanical wheelchair with seating system and accessories, $2,895.00 to $3,350.00 ($3,122.50 median), with a four year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $ 780.63

J. MANUAL WHEELCHAIR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

A median annual maintenance and repair cost of $175.00. Annual median cost of 175.00

K. MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR AND ACCESSORIES

A battery-powered wheelchair with seating system and accessories, $8,995.00 to $9,845.00 ($9,420.00 median), with a seven year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $1,345.71

L. MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

A median annual maintenance and repair cost of $350.00. Annual median cost of $350.00

M. RECREATION-SPORTS SPECIALTY CHAIR

A specially designed and accessorized recreation-sports chair for use in sports activities (e.g., rugby, tennis, basketball) and as a backup chair when the manual wheelchair is in repair, $3,975.00 to $4,450.00 ($4,212.50 median), with a two to four year useful life (3 years median). Annual median cost of 1,404.17

N. RECREATION-SPORTS WHEELCHAIR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

A median annual maintenance and repair cost of $250.00. Annual median cost of $250.00

O. MANUAL TRANSPORT DEVICES

An all-terrain conveyance (e.g., Natural Access Beach Chair, Iron Horse, Downhill Racer, etc.), for use in sand, snow or rough terrain; a recumbent handcycle, etc., $6,450.00 to $7,395.00 ($6,922.50 median), with a three to five year useful life (4 years median). Annual median amortized cost of $1,730.63

P. MANUAL TRANSPORT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

A median annual cost of $300.00. Annual median cost of $300.00

Q. SHOWER-COMMODE CHAIR

A specialty chair for commode and roll-in shower use, $2,875.00 to $3,250.00 ($3,062.50 median), with a six year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $510.42

R. ORTHO-BIOTIC CHAIR

Height adjustable chair for ease in wheelchair transfers with swivel and recline functions, $795.00 to $950.00 ($872.50 median), with a ten year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $87.25

S. SPECIALTY FURNITURE

Wheelchair accessible desk with Lazy Susan access features; height adjustable and accessible table; over-the-bed table; computer desk with wheelchair accessible features, $3,275.00 to $3,499.50 ($3,387.25 median), with a ten year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $338.73

T. SPECIALTY CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR

Clothing designed for ease of dressing and undressing (velcro closures, no buttons, zippers or snaps); footwear designed for unassisted access; wheelchair rain poncho and gloves, etc., $400.00 to $500.00/year ($450.00/year median). Annual median cost of $450.00

U. ASSISTIVE AND ADAPTIVE DEVICES

Reachers, extenders, ADL aids for hygiene, eating and personal care, $500.00 to $600.00 ($550.00 median), with a four year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $137.50

V. TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS

Modified ramp or lift van, four-door pickup or P.T. Cruiser with hand controls, tie-downs and other suitable and appropriate accessories; $41,500.00 to $47,250.00 ($44,375.00 median), with a seven year or 84,000 mile useful life; end-use equity of $4,400.00 ($39,975.00); subtraction for the median cost of a mid-size automobile ($16,500.00), $23,475.00 differential. Annual median amortized cost of $3,353.57

W. OPERATIONAL COST/MILE DIFFERENTIAL

The cost/mile differential of a van or truck ($0.49/mile) and a mid-size automobile ($0.29), assuming 12,000 miles/year driving. Annual cost differential $2,400.00

X. HOME HEALTH MONITORING EQUIPMENT

The cost of an otic thermometer, pulse meter, digital blood pressure gauge, bladder scan and genitourinary inspection mirror, etc., $2,995.00 to $3,245.00 ($3,120.00 median), with an eight year useful life. Annual median amortized cost of $ 390.00

Y. PHARMACEUTICALS-NUTRACEUTICALS-PATIENT MEDICINES-SUPPLIES

Prescriptive and non-prescriptive medications; salves, powders, ointments, emollients; food supplements; bowel-bladder incontinence devices; suppositories and enemas; disposable undergarments, bed pads and gloves, $375.00 to $450.00/month $412.50/month median). Annual median amortized cost of $4,950.00

ANNUAL COST FOR GOODS AND SERVICES AGE 35 TO 55: $109,462.66

The above Courtesy of consumerlawpage.com / Richard Alexander