Questions to Ask

• What disabilities does the individual have?
• Are the disabilities temporary, permanent, progressive?
• Is the individual having difficulty in any of these areas:
  • getting in and out of the home?
  • using the stairs?
  • moving from one room to another?
  • moving about in individual rooms
  • using the kitchen?
  • preparing meals?
  • using the bathtub or shower?
  • using the toilet?
  • getting in and out of bed, chairs, sofas?
  • getting dressed?
  • reaching items in closets and cabinets?
  • doing laundry?
  • cleaning?
  • using the telephone?
  • answering the door?
  • emptying the mailbox?
  • opening, closing or locking windows and doors?
  • operating light switches, faucets, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances?
• What are the problem areas in the home?
• Does the home provide adequate:
  • lighting?
  • safety?
  • support?
  • accessibility?
• Wha kinds of home modifications would make it easier for the individual to continue living at home?
• How much will the home modifications cost?
• Can the individual continue living at home?
• If not, what housing options exist?
• What health care, community or commercial resources are available to assist with home modification, alternative housing or relocation?

Steps to Take

• Assess the individual's ability to function (ADL's) in the home:
  • note activities that are difficult to perform
  • note obstacles that prevent the individual from performing each activity
• Determine which types of home modification would be most useful
• Discover at-home coping strategies for home modification
• Learn about helpful products and devices for home modification
• Develop a plan to implement the home modifications:
  • how much work is needed
  • who will do the work
  • what types of materials are needed
  • how much the materials and labour will cost
• Discuss the home modification plan with the individual and any health professionals, as necessary. out if financial assistance is available, if needed
• Carry out or make arrangements for the required home modifications
• Investigate alternative housing or relocation options, if necessary
• Contact associations and organizations that offer information and advice on home modification
• Once changes have been implemented, monitor the situation and arrange for additional care services, if necessary

	Get someone — an occupational therapist, nurse or other health care worker — to help with the assessment of the individual's abilities/disabilities and the home environment. An occupational therapist can also advise on the most effective adaptations to compensate for an individual's limitations or disabilities.
	If doing the assessment yourself, use a self-assessment guide, such as the publication, Maintaining Seniors' Independence through Home Adaptations, available from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

• Choose home modification options that are practical and attractive
• Guard against over adapting the home or making the home environment too clinical
• Discover helpful products and devices for home modification
• Contact associations and organizations who offer information, advice and financial assistance for home modifications
• Once changes have been implemented, monitor the situation and arrange for additional care services, if necessary

Home modification products can be purchased from a variety of sources, including hardware stores, kitchen supply stores, building suppliers, pharmacies, medical suppliers, department stores and catalogues.

Devices and hardware for entrances, stairways, doors and windows

• wheelchair ramp
• lighted doorbell and buzzer
• intercom
• automatic, sliding or swinging doors
• door opener
• door lock with emergency release
• stair glide, stairway lift, wheelchair lift, elevator
• grab bars, handrails
• non-slip tape
• rubber treads
• lever doorknob
• add-on levers to convert round doorknobs
• doorknob grips
• swing-clear door hinges
• door kickplate
• crank-operated window
• Safe Handrails for Seniors
  

• grab bars, handrails
• bath and shower seats, built-in, portable, folding
• hydraulic tub lift
• raised toilet seat
• elevated toilet
• commode
• single-lever faucet
• add-on faucet levers
• no-touch water faucet
• flexible hand-held shower head
• anti-scald device
• non-skid mat and adhesive strips
• non-skid flooring
• full-length mirror
• Begin with the Bathroom!

Kitchen equipment, cabinet and closet accessories

• appliances with automatic shut-off feature
• stove with front controls
• large, easy-to-grasp cabinet door handles
• slide-out shelving, revolving shelves
• adjustable rods
• closet organizers
• Kitchens The Hub of the HOME!

Lighting, electrical and heating accessories

• oversized light switches
• rocker light switches
• lighted switches
• night lights
• three-way bulbs
• touch control lamps
• cordless battery-operated lights
• electrical plug with handle
• cord clips — to secure electrical and telephone cords
• three-pronged electrical outlets
• electrical outlet covers
• thermostat covers

Security devices

• smoke alarms, smoke detectors
• fire extinguishers
• carbon monoxide detectors
• home security systems
• personal emergency response systems
• motion detectors
• deadbolt locks, chain locks, refrigerator locks

General appliances

• telephones with large buttons, lights, hearing devices
• cordless telephones
• large-face clocks with large numerals
• talking alarm clocks