OT 504 Week 4: Aging in Place, Home Assessment & Modifications Flashcards

What is aging in place?

Staying in your own home as you get older

According to the National Institute on Aging, what are the four key components of aging in place?

Safety, comfort, meaning, and accessibility.

What are the National Center for Healthy Housing principles of healthy housing?

Clean and maintained, contaminant free, pest free, dry, thermally controlled, ventilated, and ready.

What factors beyond home modifications support aging in place?

Income, housing stability, access to services, social support, neighborhood, and visitability.

Why is aging in place important to older adults?

Most older adults prefer to remain in their own homes as they age.

Approximately how many community-dwelling older adults fall each year?

About 30%.

What percentage of U.S. housing has accessibility features?

Less than 1%.

Why is housing equity considered a health equity issue?

Housing is a major socio-environmental determinant of health.

What is home safety?

Physical, mental, and emotional safety within the home.

What is accessible housing?

Housing that meets the needs of people of all ages, abilities, and conditions.

Is having stairs on a two floor house accessible housing?

No, it may limit accessibility for those with mobility challenges.

What is a home safety screen?

A general screening tool used to identify hazards in a home.

What is a home assessment?

An assessment of the fit between a client and their home environment.

What are environmental modifications?

Changes such as low-tech or high-tech devices, DME, and alterations to the built environment.

What is fall behavior/fall risk?

Actions, choices, and cognitive strategies that affect an individual's risk of falling.

What are the four steps in the home assessment and modification process?

Assessment → Solution Implementation → Training → Evaluation.

Why do OTs perform home assessments?

Aging in place, safety, accessibility, quality of living conditions, and discharge planning.

What does an OT assess during a home evaluation?

Safety, accessibility, and the client-environment fit

What recommendations may an OT provide after a home assessment?

Equipment, environmental modifications, repairs, and hazard removal

Who may OTs collaborate with when implementing home modifications?

Handypersons, contractors, caregivers, and clients.

What OT model is commonly used in home assessments?

The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model.

In the PEOP model, what three factors interact to influence occupational performance?

Person, Environment, and Occupation.

How can an older adult pay for an OT home assessment?

Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B/C, government funding, or private pay.

What does HARP stand for?

Home Hazard Removal Program.

What occurs during HARP?

OT evaluation, hazard removal, minor modifications, repairs, and fall-risk reduction strategies.

what does project CAPABLE stand for?

Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders.

What is Project CAPABLE?

An interprofessional program using an OT, nurse, and handy worker to address functional goals

What is a major outcome of Project CAPABLE?

Over six times return on investment and significant healthcare savings.

What does OAHMP stand for?

Older Adult Home Modification Program.

What is the purpose of OAHMP?

To help low-income older adults remain safely in their homes through home modifications.

What are four ways to conduct a home assessment?

In person, video, photographs, and interview/no photos or video.

What is considered the gold-standard home safety assessment?

Westmead Home Safety Assessment (WeHSA).

What does Home FAST assess?

Environmental hazards and functional interactions within the home.

What does the Falls Behavioral Scale (FaB) measure?

Behaviors that increase or decrease fall risk.

What does CASPAR focus on?

Determining whether the home is a good fit for the person.

What should an OT do before a home visit?

Complete a pre-visit phone call and gather supplies.

What supplies may an OT bring to a home assessment?

Tape measure, clipboard, tape, design software, stud finder, recommendation pictures, and PPE.

What assessments are completed during the home visit?

OT profile, ADL/IADL assessment, fall risk, cognition, low vision, and home safety assessment.

What should happen after the home assessment?

Report review, implementation planning, training, and re-evaluation.

What is the most important consideration during a home visit

Safety.

Who should ideally assist during a video home assessment?

Family, friends, or caregivers.

Why should an OT confirm the client's address before a video assessment?

In case emergency services must be contacted

What instructions should be given during a video walkthrough?

Move slowly, stop frequently, and pan the camera gradually.

What two common concerns arise during video assessments?

Motion sickness and internet connectivity.

What screening tool can be used when photos or videos are unavailable?

CDC Check for Safety Screening Tool

What questions might an OT ask when no visual assessment is available?

How do you feel in your home? Who lives with you? How do you feel about your neighborhood?

Are environmental modifications alone always effective?

No, evidence is variable; multicomponent interventions are often better.

What factors beyond the environment should OTs consider?

ADLs, IADLs, cognition, mobility, medical conditions, preferred occupations, and social relationships.

What is the goal of home modifications?

To improve usability, safety, and independence

What intervention categories are included in home modifications?

Assistive devices, DME, sensory cues, memory aids, furniture rearrangement, hazard removal, structural renovations, task simplification, and behavioral strategies

What common OT concerns are addressed through home modifications?

Fall prevention, discharge planning, and poor living conditions.

What are common general home recommendations?

reduce clutter, secure cords, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, motion-sensor lighting, and flashlights.

Why are rocker-style switches recommended?

They are easier to operate than toggle switches.

What is a zero-step entry?

An entrance without steps for easier accessibility.

What entrance modifications support aging in place?

Outdoor lighting, handrails, lever handles, visible house numbers, video doorbells, and non-slip mats

Recommended doorway width?

32 inches.

What modifications improve stair safety?

Handrails, non-slip strips, lighting, low-pile carpet, and repairing unstable stairs.

What kitchen modifications improve accessibility?

Move items within reach, task lighting, D-shaped handles, front stove controls, pull-out shelving, and lever faucets.

Why might a variable-height work surface be beneficial?

Allows work while seated.

What bathroom modifications reduce fall risk?

Grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs, handheld shower heads, toilet seat risers, and temperature controls.

What is the purpose of a bath lift?

To assist with safe transfers into and out of the bathtub.

What bedroom modifications improve safety?

Remove throw rugs, improve lighting, widen pathways, adjust bed height, and install bed rails.

Why are armrests on chairs important?

They assist with transfers

What outdoor modifications support aging in place?

Repair pathways, provide seating areas, install solar lighting, and add bright strips on steps.

Examples of larger home modifications?

Ramps, stair lifts, walk-in tubs, and accessible showers.

Examples of smart home technology used in aging in place?

Smart light bulbs, smart showerheads, smart locks, irrigation controls, and smart thermostats.

What home assessment tool is considered the gold standard?

Westmead Home Safety Assessment (WeHSA).

What evidence-based program focuses on home hazard removal?

HARP.

Which model emphasizes the interaction of person, environment, and occupation?

PEOP Model.

What should OTs think about first when making recommendations?

Low-tech solutions first.

What is one of the strongest fall-prevention interventions for older adults?

Home modifications delivered by an occupational therapist.