Our Occupational Therapists (OTs) have a variety of roles within Advantage Injury Management Services, which is noted from our website and previous blogs. However an assessment that can sometimes be forgotten are Home Assessments. This allows us to use our core values of assessing the person, the environment and occupation (all tasks) while promoting health and well-being and proving client-centred practice (OT in a nut shell).
A home assessment can be used for a variety of different purposes depending on the client’s needs. In our industry, we perform these assessments if someone returns home after having an injury/illness and is not managing and/or there is the need to assess safety in their home. As discussed earlier, if we break down the ‘occupation’, the ‘person’ and the ‘environment’, this allows us to discuss what is involved in a home assessment.
Occupation: The assessment involves the observation and discussion of some activities of daily living such as personal hygiene and dressing, domestic chores (cooking, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping), gardening, driving, sleeping and leisure activities. If a person is able to manage these with some assistance or if external services are required, this can also be recommended, if appropriate.
Person: If a person is having trouble performing some tasks, the Occupational Therapist can provide education, advice and recommendations on how the person is completing the occupation (tasks) and if any modifications can be made on how to conserve energy and complete the task in an easier manner. The Occupational Therapist will also provide postural education and manual handling techniques to ensure that tasks are being completed safely.
Environment: If the person requires further assistance to complete tasks, the Occupational Therapist can also provide recommendations regarding changing the environment to meet their needs. This can be a discussion with regards to providing assistive equipment (shower chairs, long handled aids, adapted cutlery) or home modifications (grab rails) so that the person can remain independent in the home.
Of course these factors of the ‘person, environment and occupation’ all overlap and impact on each other, and this is how Occupational Therapists view home assessments. If you feel you know someone who would benefit from a home assessment or would like any more information, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly staff today!
Blog – Samantha Storey (Occupational Therapist)