Home Modifications

Home modifications are changes made to adapt people's home spaces to increase usage, safety, security, and independence. Occupational therapy practitioners complete comprehensive assessments to identify how the environment affects individual's ability to perform desired occupations. From the assessment, an OT will recommend solutions to adapt the environment to achieve improved functionality in order to increase independence, promote health, and prevent further decline or injury. These recommendations may include minor/major modifications to the layout of the home (e.g. ramps, rails), equipment prescription and task retraining.

An OT may also evaluate balance, coordination, endurance, safety awareness, strength, attention, problem solving, vision, communication, and many other functions whilst the individual performs daily tasks to determine capabilities and safety.

The main goal of a home assessment and recommendations is to ensure the safety of individuals, whilst maintaining independence for as long as possible.