Home Safety and Accessibility Assessments
Occupational Therapy Home Assessments can:
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Identify a person's physical and cognitive capabilities
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Identify technology use capabilities
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Identify risk of falling
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Identify psychosocial risk factors such as isolation
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Identify current and future accessibility barriers
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Identify home safety hazards
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Provide education on safe methods for bathing, toileting, and other activities of daily living
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Recommend caregiving, meal preparation, food delivery, yard care services, and more!
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Recommend mobility aids, assistive devices and accessibility equipment
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Recommend home modifications to improve safety, participation, and accessibility
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Provide education to assist clients in deciding if they should Modify or Move
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Connect clients with professional accessible home renovation contractors.
What are Home Modifications?
Home modifications are not just home renovations, they are any residential adaptations that are meant to increase safety, accessibility and participation in daily activities. Home Modifications address changing needs as we age and findings from our Home Modifications Assessments help people to make informed decisions about Aging in Place or living in the right place as they age.
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Enabling Access Occupational Therapists are experienced and skilled in providing assessment, education and consultation​ on basic to complex home modification projects.
Common Home Modifications Solutions
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Widening interior and exterior doorways
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Creating accessible entrance with exterior lift, ramp or sloped landscaping
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Increasing lighting in dim lit areas
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Removing bathtub to replace with curb-less step shower
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Adding grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on stairs
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Adding hand-held shower wand with long hose
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Removing trip hazards and moving obstycles
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Removing lower cabinets under sinks
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Adding pull down shelving in upper cabinets
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Expanding main floor bathrooms
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Adding interior stair lifts
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Adding or configuring smart home technology
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Removing clutter and creating barrier-free path of travel
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Installing residential elevator
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Moving laundry appliances to main floor
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Adding smart home or assistive technology devices
Home Assessment
Service Levels
Focused
This Home Assessment focuses on specific functional issues someone may be experiencing at home. Often basic equipment or support services are recommended to improve safety, accessibility and activity performance.​
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Examples of why to choose this Home Assessment:
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​Resident has difficulty with getting on/off toilet or with bathing.​
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Resident has had fall and now needs assistance negotiating stairs.
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Resident has experienced cognitive changes and is leaving stove on, or forgetting to take medication.
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Recommendations: Provided by email following the assessment.
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*Full written Report available for additiona fees
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*Provision of equipment or services price quotes from local vendors available at additional fees.
Global
This Home Assessment focuses on multiple areas of the home and any issues a person is experiencing in their daily activities. Often assistive devices, accessibility equipment with installation and/or home-based support services are recommended to improve safety, accessibility and activity performance.
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Examples of why to choose this Home Assessment:
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​Resident has progressive condition with changes in physical or cognitive functioning requiring full assessment of the home.
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Resident/s are future planning and are interested to learn about al possible Aging in Place safety and accessibility solutions.
​Recommendations: Provided by email following the assessment.
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*Full written Report available for additional fees
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*Provision of equipment or services price quotes from local vendors available at additional fees.
Complex
This Home Assessment focuses on solving problems related to safety, accessibility where it is likely that more complex structural home modifications are indicated and require consultation with an accessibility renovation specialist of your choice.
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Examples of why to choose this Home Assessment:
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Resident/s planning renovation upgrades to areas of their home and want to include accessibility and safety features.
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Resident/s interested in expanding ensuite bathroom into closet or adjacent room to create accessible bathroom
​Recommendations: Provided in written report emailed to client and home renovation specialist following the assessment.
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*Coordination of renovation specialist services and provision of equipment price quotes from local vendors available at additional fees.
Home Modifications
in Canada
New findings from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD) showed that 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and over, or 8.0 million people, have one or more disabilities that limited them in their daily activities.
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According to Statistics Canada, older adults are outnumbering children for the first time in history! By 2036, it is projected that 23-25% of the Canadian population will be accounted for by people over 65 years old..
Considering the above demographics, coupled with the current accessible housing stock shortage in Canada, the public demand for homes with safety and accessibility features is increasing rapidly and is already influencing housing market pricing, especially single level homes (without stairs). Home modifications can actually increase the value of your home! Here are some resources we have collected for you to learn more!
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Certifications & Memberships
