Acceptable levels of intra and inter-rater reliability with a moderate internal consistency and high validity were demonstrated for the Persian version of BBS.

Aim: Assessment of activities of daily living (ADL) can be helpful for designing individualized rehabilitation programs for disabled individuals. Measuring and comparing the basic ADL (BADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) independence between middle aged and senior Iranian blind war survivors (IBWS) was the aim of this study. Methods:This cross-sectional study assessed BADL and IADL of 312 blind war survivors, using the Barthel Index and the Lawton-Bordy scale. Data collection was carried out in a recreational event for the blind war survivors in Mashhad, Iran, 2008. Results:The majority of the participants were male (99%), and more than 80% had multiple injuries. None of them were independent in all BADL and IADL. Older groups were more dependent in IADL such as telephone use, drug management, financial management, and BADL such as walking on uneven surfaces, bed/chair transfer and using stairs. The functional status and activities' level differences between those aged younger than 50 years and those aged older than 50 years were significant (P < 0.05). Discussion:In the present study, all the IBWS were dependent in at least one ADL. Multiple physical injuries could be one of the main reasons for the dependency in this group. IBWS aged older than 50 years were considerably more dependent in their BADL and IADL than the younger group. It appears that starting the fifth decade of age in IBWS might cause some considerable decrease in their function. Training and individualized rehabilitation programs are warranted. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 741-750.

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Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes financial, social, and psycho-emotional problems for both the person afflicted with SCI and the family. Family as an important source of care plays an important role in patients' rehabilitation and complication reduction. Objectives: The present study aimed at designing a client and family empowerment model for SCI patients. Methods: This was a qualitative study with the grounded theory approach conducted in 2017. Unstructured interviews were used as the main method of data collection. Saturation was achieved with 43 participants, including people with SCI, family caregivers, and people involved in providing health care and rehabilitation services for people with SCI. Data analysis was performed on the basis of continuous comparative analysis of Strauss and Corbin (1998). In the second stage, the findings of the grounded theory study were used for designing the prescriptive model based on Walker and Avant (2005) three-step method. Results: The main concern of people with SCI and their families was the loss of physical ability, financial and physical independence, and lack of constructive life. Ultimately, a "client and family empowerment model to promote constructive life recovery for individuals with SCI" was developed based on the findings of the grounded theory study. This model includes four main concepts: correction of environment, educational empowerment of the clients and families, modification of the method of providing rehabilitation services, and recovery of a constructive life. Conclusions: There were several barriers to the client and family empowerment of people with SCI. In this study, a client and family empowerment model was developed to promote constructive life recovery and strategies were identified to remove the barriers. Hence, this model can help people with SCI to return their effective lives.

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