“Life Improvement through Home Improvement”. TM
6 Steps in the Home Modification Process
- Identify: Assess you and your family’s or client’s needs and goals for lifestyle independence-based on demonstrated functional mobility, activities of daily living and chart review.
- Evaluate: Determine environmental accessibility needs and limitations of the interior and exterior of the home environment.
- Specify: Prepare construction specifications, design parameters with specific requirements for accessibility and/or adaptive equipment requirements.
- Design: Architects/designers utilize the OT’s Design Parameters for accessibility when developing home and exterior designs. The home modification OT will consult with the architect/designer throughout the design process.
- Apply: Provide accessible fixtures and adaptive equipment and work with the builder on appropriate placement of accessible fixtures. Recommendations for building materials and flooring that are durable enough to handle wheelchair use and prevent falls.
- Verify: Confirm that solutions meet needs the needs of the client and the family and provide training on proper body mechanics and use of home modifications and equipment.Sometimes modifying a home for aging-in-place or a disability or injury is not feasible due to the structure of the home, cost to modify or basic home design.When modifying a home isn’t an option working with a realtor with a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) or Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation to identify a more appropriate home is important.