Home Modification Assessments Calgary

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Home Modification Assessments Calgary

During a Home Modification Assessment (also known as a Home Safety Assessment or Accessibility Audit) a Calgary Occupational Therapist will conduct an evaluation at your residence, where they will:

  • Recommend pieces of equipment and provide strategies that will make it easier for you to complete your day-to-day activities around the home such as; getting in and out of bed, dressing, showering, using the toilet, doing laundry and cooking.
  • Recommend which items should be moved or removed if they are currently a trip hazard.
  • Review the safest way to go up and down stairs, the safest way to get in and out of the bath or shower, and the best body mechanics to use when bending, reaching and lifting items.
  • Provide you with a clear report to help guide you on the recommended changes to your home set up. This report satisfies requirement 4.4 “Modification from a Rehabilitation Professional” for applications to the Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP).
Book a Home Modification Assessment
  • Click to download our free pdf on cost effective home modifications you can make to your home.

FAQ About Occupational Therapy

Can I Access Financial Assistance for a Home Modification Assessment in Calgary?

  • OT2U Ltd. offers home modification assessments at a flat fee for RAMP applicants and low-income seniors. If this applies, to you, click here to book. 
     

  • Check with your insurance provider if they cover occupational therapy (OT) services. Many offer up to $500 towards OT per year, but may have maximum’s they pay out per visit. If your insurer does not provide OT coverage, visit the SAOTs “Ask for OT” page about how to request this. 

  • Through the Government of Alberta’s Senior’s Home Adaptation and Repair Progrom (SHARP) you may be eligible for up to $40,000 in low-interest home equity loans towards the recommended changes and assessment itself.

  • If you are unable to pay out-of-pocket for the assessment, you may be eligible to receive a clinical assesment for basic equipment and medical needs through Calgary Community Aids to Daily Living (CCAIL), however, as noted on their website they do not provide assessments for: home modifications / renovations or porch / stair lifts; falls prevention, general home safety or kitchen safety; active rehabilitation treatment, all of which can be addressed by one of our occupational therapists. 

Will modifying my home help keep me out of long-term care?

While we can’t predict the future, we can do our best to safely prepare for it and minimize our chances of injury which can lead to ending up in aged care facilities.

“In Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations and injury deaths among people aged 65 or older. Injuries from falls reduce older adults’ quality of life, increase caregiver demands, and precipitate admissions into long-term care” (Government of Canada, 2022)

Approximately 52% of falls resulting in hospitalization occurred in a household residence. Of those who were hospitalized for their fall, 1/3 subsequently ended up in long- term care.

Most people contact us for a home modification AFTER an injury or fall. The best way to minimize the impact of an fall is to be proactive by having the right equipment and modifications in place to avoid a fall all together.

Are you able to recommend contractors to complete our home modifications?

Who you choose to modify your home is ultimately your decision, but we are happy to help your narrow the field by sharing what our experiences have been with certain providers if you are looking for a place to start.

You can also send the CAOTs Contractor Questionnaire to those you are considering to help get more information about their qualifications and process.

How many times should I meet with my occupational therapist throughout my home modification process?

  • We will initially meet at your home to determine what your safety concerns and priorities are. From there, recommended equipment and home modifications will be placed into a report. This is a document you can share with potential vendors and contractors who can help fulfill these recommendations.
  • It can be helpful to have an OT present when a vendor delivers the recommended equipment to you, to ensure correct placement and set up and for you to have an opportunity to practice utilizing these new pieces of equipment under OT supervision.
  • Once you have selected a contractor to complete your home modifications, you may want to have your OT review the proposed modifications by the vendor and to have an on-site visit with the OT once construction has commenced, to again ensure correct placement of things like grab bars, shower heads, drainage etc.
  • It is up to you how many visits you schedule, but having at least one follow-up visit tends to help individuals feel more confident in the changes they are making.