Development of a Comprehensive Assessment for Delivery of Home Modifications

Abstract

Modifying one's home is an important strategy to manage chronic health conditions, increase independence, and ensure safety of frail older adults. However, in many areas of the country home modifications are difficult to obtain due to either a lack of specialists or a comprehensive assessment tool that would enable specialists to diagnose problems and prescribe solutions without having to perform an on-site evaluation. The purpose of this project was to develop and validate an assessment protocol that provides sufficient information about an individual, his/her occupational performance, and environment such that specialists can prescribe appropriate modifications without having to perform an on-site assessment.