Home Modifications (Horkheimer - Online)

Course overview

Over the past 5 years there has been an enormous expansion of products and resources for patient accessibility, assessment tools, and home modification options. With the expansion of accessibility products there are a greater number of individuals remaining in their homes, as they age in place or desire to remain at home with a disability. The growing fields of home modifications and safe patient handling are increasingly a more pertinent discipline and resource that distinguish physical and occupational therapists from other healthcare professionals. A therapists knowledge base of the medical perspective, functional perspective, and of ADLs and mobility requirements uniquely qualify them as the experts for effective and intelligent accessible modifications for the home and community. This workshop will provide essential knowledge and tools for accessibility evaluations and solutions. Participants will receive practical strategies for home modification essentials including assessment, task analysis, product knowledge, funding resources, and special considerations for design and selection of ramps, lifts, and grab bars. These approaches will be presented, and practiced so that you may help individuals of varied functional levels (from high functioning to dependent). Healthcare professionals and accessibility consultants will return to work with cost effective, aesthetic, and tested solutions for environmental modifications.