The role of an occupational therapist (OT) is a varied one, but they share a fundamental aim to enable people to participate in daily activities. Part of that role means assessing and evaluating the home environment to make sure it provides a safe and suitable place to live. An OT will make suggestions about home adaptations that will meet the needs of their client.
While there are plenty of useful home adaptations that don’t need input from an occupational therapist, it is always worth taking their advice on board and making the changes they suggest.
What is Occupational Therapy and How Can It Help You?
Occupational therapy is about promoting independence for those facing physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. It involves assessing an individual’s needs, abilities and challenges, looking at their environment and recommending a range of plans that can lead to a more fulfilling and productive life.
When it comes to the home environment, an occupational therapist has the experience and understanding needed to suggest what changes can be done to improve quality of life. OTs provide guidance on the home adaptations, equipment and assistive technology that will best benefit their client.
By making changes based on advice from your occupational therapist, you will improve your home to make it easier for you to get around and manage your daily tasks more independently.
The Occupational Assessment Process
An OT assessment is usually a referral from the local authority, from prior interactions and understanding from teams such as the adult social care team, your GP, or other health professionals.
Once a referral has been accepted, an occupational therapist will arrange to visit your home to undertake the assessment. The steps involved in this home assessment include:
- An initial consultation to discuss your needs and wants.
- Their comprehensive evaluation of your abilities and limitations.
- A detailed assessment of the physical nature of your home environment.
- Working in collaboration with you, your family and other support networks, to identify what issues are a priority and the potential solutions for those.
The initial assessment can take between two to four hours, during which time the OT will take notes and photographs to help their evaluation and make recommendations. As part of that assessment, the OT will ask relevant questions about your day-to-day activities and personal care.
Common Home Adaptations
Some of the most common home adaptations that occupational therapists will recommend include:
- Access alterations – This can include such things as widening doorways to improve wheelchair access, adding ramps or stairlifts for easy movement around the property, or even the inclusion of keyless doors.
- Bathroom adaptations – From small changes such as grab rails, shower seats or raised toilet seats, to larger more-significant alterations, such as walk-in showers.
- Kitchen ease of use – Lowering countertops, the addition of pull-out shelves, and making appliances more accessible are all common changes in the kitchen.
- Lighting and contrast – Improved lighting, the use of high-contrast colours that help mark significant objects, and tactile markings are all positive changes for those suffering with their vision.
- Assistive technology and equipment – This includes mobility aids such as walkers, wheelchairs and canes; adaptive equipment for daily living (dressing aids, eating utensils); and smart home technology that can include motion sensors or voice activated controls.
After Your Occupational Therapy Assessment
It is important that you are able to make fully informed decisions about any home adaptations that your occupational therapist has advised. You will receive a comprehensive report outlining all the suggested changes, which can then be discussed with your occupational therapist.
You should also know that this report may be shared with relevant parties involved in your care or housing.
Once the recommendations are agreed, you will need to find a contractor to help you make the adaptations. Some of the changes may be simple, but others will need specialist help.
How John Ford Group Works with Occupational Therapists
JFG is an adaptation contractor with decades of experience in creating safe, comfortable homes for people with all kinds of needs – we work in partnership with occupational therapists to ensure homes meet the needs of their occupants.
We understand that the role of occupational therapy in home adaptations is a vital one: it’s the first step to creating safe, functional and independent living spaces. Our team works closely with your occupational therapist to ensure that their professional guidance is aligned with our experienced and specialist construction, making the improvements needed for a truly happy and comfortable home.
We have developed this article to help you understand more about occupational therapist-recommended alterations and the funding available to you. If you would like to discuss your home adaptations, you can get in touch with us via our website.