1. Home Modifications Program Occupational Therapist
Karen Smith OT/L, CAPS
Occupational Therapist

2. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
Work in a variety of settings.
Work with clients across the lifespan.
Have knowledge and expertise in aging and disability issues.
Help clients do the things they need and want to do.
Are great partners in home modifications projects.

3. OTs Assess the Fit Between Individuals and Their Environment
Occupation
Person
Environment

4. HOME MODIFICATION
Adaptation to the living environment intended to increase ease of use, safety, security and independence.

5. Safe at Home
One of RTMC’s primary goals is to address home repair and maintenance issues that potentially present a safety risk or limit the access to or within the home.
Strategy is driven by RTMC’s vision of a Safe and Healthy Home for everyone.

6. Safety and Prevention are grouped into three categories:
Safe at Home
Safety and Prevention are grouped into three categories:
Falls Prevention
Fire Safety and Prevention
General Safety
Home modifications enhance safety and prevent falls

7. HOME SAFETY ASSESSMENTS
RTMC is committed to addressing the home modification needs of homeowners to help them remain safely in their homes.
A team of OTs have volunteered to assist with home safety assessments and recommendations to house captains.
We may assign OTs to some houses and encourage house captains to request an OT safety assessment for homeowners who are elderly or have a disability.

8. For Home Modifications
RECOGNIZING THE NEED
For Home Modifications
Familiar Sights:
no access to outside world for wheelchair users
exposed pipes/wires
excessive clutter
unsteady stairways
inaccessible bathtubs, cabinets, storage areas
poor lighting
multi-level homes without handrails
abundant use of throw and area rugs
sitting surfaces too low
faulty doorknobs/locks/peepholes/doorsteps

9. Home Modifications Include:
Handrails on both sides of steps
Lever door handles and faucets
Widened door ways or swing away hinges
D ring handles on cabinet doors and drawers for easy grip
Smoke detectors
Walk-in or no step shower
Grab bars in the shower, toilet, and tub
Hand-held, flexible shower head
Removing clutter
Repairing walking surfaces
Ramps for accessible entry and exit

10. RUGS CAN BE TRIPPING HAZARDS
Secure area rugs with non-slip matting or double faced tape .
Remove scatter rugs that are not firmly secured.
Secure area rugs with non-slip matting or dbl-faced carpet tape

11. LEVER STYLE FAUCETS AND HANDLES
Lever handles - no need to grip or twist
Great Grips – low cost knob cover that makes gripping and turning easier.

12. Add additional lighting fixtures
VISION PROBLEMS
Add additional lighting fixtures
Increase wattage – high efficiency bulbs
Provide color changes to distinguish surfaces
Reduce glare
Low gloss floor surfaces
Window coverings

13. IMPROVED LIGHTING Easy on/off rocker switch mounded 42-48” above floor
Easy on/off rocker switch mounded 42-48” above floor
Non-glare task lighting for specific work areas

14. COMMON BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS
Horizontal and vertical grab bars
Bath seat
Hand held shower with slide bar or lower clip mount
Shower curtain rather than door
Raised toilet insert with arms
Non-slip mat or strips

15. BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS

16. HIGHER HEIGHT TOILET Toilet riser raises toilet 3 ½”
Toilevator
Toilet riser raises toilet 3 ½”
Comfort height toilet adds 2 ½” to the seat height for easier on and off

17. GRAB BARS & HAND GRIPS

18. GRAB BARS Come in various lengths 1½” or 1¼” diameter
Space between bar and wall no more than 1½”
OT can help advise placement
Must be properly installed
Wingits or Moen SecureMount Anchors
Studs
Wood blocking between studs

19. PROPER INSTALLATION In Studs or Wood blocking between studs
Moen SecureMount Anchors
Using Wingits

20. INDIVIDUALIZE MODIFICATIONS
Make sure the modifications fit the needs of the homeowner or others in the home.
Work with the OT to ensure safe use of grab bars or other safety modifications.

21. STAIRWAY SAFETY Hand prints on walls indicate need for additional railing for support.

22. SIDEWALKS AND STEPS Ensure at least one sturdy railing on all steps.
Repair uneven, broken, or badly chipped sidewalks to prevent tripping.

23. Level floors and smooth surfaces

24. Raise the height of chairs, beds, and sofas with Easy Risers or other devices to make getting on and off surfaces easier.

25. ORGANIZE FOR EASY USE Move items used most often to easy to reach surfaces

26. MODIFICATIONS THAT IMPACT SAFETY
Removing clutter
Removing or securing scatter rugs
Adding smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Moving wires out of pathways
Installing doorbells
Large house numbers-for emergency situations
Portable phones
Sturdy door pull (Stanley 6½”) or 10-12” grab bar for one step entrances to assist with balance

27. RAMPS CAN PROVIDE FREEDOM AND ACCESS
This woman had difficulty leaving her home. A low-incline ramp will allow her the opportunity to come and go as she pleases. (easy grip hand rail needs to be added.)

28. TO RAMP OR NOT TO RAMP Consider if a ramp is the best solution.
Is the person wheelchair bound or would railings on both sides of steps or shorter step rise work?
Can signal disability and vulnerability
May affect resale of the house
Family may not think it looks good
Must be done right (slope no more than 1:12, curbs, non-slip, etc)
Check resources on RTMC website for design and construction
Contact staff and OT for input and approval

29. HOME MODIFICATIONS links to resources
National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications
Center for Universal Design
Wood Ramp Design: How to Add a Ramp that Looks Good and Works Too
AOTA RT Collaboration