Home Safety Evaluations Charleston, SC

+ What Is a Home Safety Evaluation?

A home safety evaluation by an occupational therapist assesses the safety of a person’s living environment at home. The goal is to make the home as safe as possible based on the person’s needs in order to prevent any injuries and relieve any barriers to living independently. The evaluation can provide short term benefits, such as when a person returns home from the hospital, or provide long term benefits in the case of a chronic condition.

+ Who Benefits from a Home Safety Evaluation?

Various impairments can necessitate environmental changes in the home to make it safer. These categories of impairment include:

Physical

• Loss of vision or hearing

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Congestive heart failure

• Parkinson’s or other central nervous system diseases

• Taking multiple medications

Cognitive

• Dementia

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Chronic depression

• Mental illnesses such as delirium

Functional

• Serious joint diseases such as arthritis

• Bone diseases such as osteoporosis

• Balance and walking disturbances

• Severe muscle weakness

Social

• Insufficient social support

• Excessive self-neglect

• Inadequate finances

• Lack of transportation resources

+ Components of a Home Safety Evaluation

A comprehensive home safety evaluation includes several categories, such as:

• Basic home and patient safety. This includes inspecting for all health, safety, and fire hazards. Ensuring that the client has the functional skills necessary for basics such as fire prevention and escape, operating any in-home medical equipment, and correct lifting techniques is crucial to their well-being.

• Room set-up. Each room is assessed for optimal safety and efficiency. Taking such steps as evaluating the lighting, amount of clutter, and furniture placement helps mitigate falls.

• Accessibility. The client’s mobility to the home, within each room, and within the bathroom is evaluated.

• Task completion issues. We assess the client’s ability to communicate and follow instructions for such activities as taking medication, using appliances, and operating any essential medical equipment.

+ Risk Factors for Falls

Because falls are the leading home safety issue, a home safety evaluation is crucial for those at higher risk. The risk factors for falling include:

• Joint problems such as severe arthritis

• Low blood pressure

• Hearing and sight impairments

• Tremors such as those caused by Parkinson’s disease

• Balance or equilibrium problems

• Foot injuries or disease

• Heart conditions such as arrhythmias and valvular disorders

• Muscle weakness

• Poor nutrition

• Walking difficulties

+ How Occupational Therapy Can Help

We begin with a thorough evaluation of our client’s medical history, daily routine, values, needs, and goals. After a complete home safety evaluation, our trained occupational therapists can help assess and recommend a personalized treatment plan to promote:

• Safe living in the home

• Improved functional abilities

• Superior quality of life