Home Evaluations

What is a home evaluation?

A home evaluation is an evaluation conducted most often by a licensed/registered Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) to determine one’s accessibility and functional needs while living at home.

Who benefits from a home evaluation?

Individuals who are preparing to age in place (stay living in one’s home for as long as possible) safely, and independently.

Someone with a progressive-based condition (such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, etc.) that may require special modifications to promote accessibility, independence, and safety.

Someone who is experiencing an abrupt change in his or her functional status following an unplanned, sometimes traumatic event (i.e. traumatic or acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, etc.).

How can a home evaluation help me?

• The Client

Promoting one’s independence in their own home can greatly increase one’s quality of life, sense of self, and improve one’s mood/affect.

The emotional benefits of this new-found independence will often translate into physical rehabilitation progress, and generate an improved relationship between a client and caregiver.

• The Caregiver

If a client is not able to be completely independent given the nature of his or her progressive condition or traumatic injury, a home modification evaluation can greatly increase client safety, caregiver safety and client confidence in the caregiver completing his or her personal care activities.

Promoting caregivers’ abilities to assist with client care will likely reduce caregiver burnout, emotional stress, and physical injuries which will ultimately reduce care expenses.