Introduction
A home visit enables the therapist to analyse and treat the problems and difficulties your child is having performing everyday tasks at home first-hand. The occupational therapist would be able to. Provide treatment at home. Risk assess. Discuss the use of adaptive aids and equipment. The purpose of a home visit is to determine whether the home is safe, accessible, and suitable for the person's needs.
Or - assessment conducted by the Occupational Therapist at the person's home to evaluate how they function in their actual living environment.
During a home visit,
the OT may assess:
- Mobility within the home (walking, using a wheelchair, climbing stairs)
- Ability to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning
- Safety risks such as loose rugs, poor lighting, or inaccessible bathrooms
- Accessibility of entrances and exits
- Need for assistive devices such as grab rails, ramps, shower chairs, or wheelchair modifications
- Level of independence and whether caregiver assistance is required
In a medico-legal assessment, a home visit may be used to:
- Evaluate the impact of an injury or disability on independent living.
- Determine whether home modifications are necessary.
- Assess future care and support needs.
- Estimate the costs of accommodations and assistive equipment.
- Provide evidence for compensation claims.
Example:
If a person has suffered a stroke, spinal injury, severe burns, or a traumatic brain injury, an OT may visit the home to determine:
Whether the person can safely move between rooms.
Whether they can access the bathroom independently.
Whether modifications such as ramps, handrails, or widened doorways are needed.
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