Home Modifications

Question 1

What is the focus of home modifications?

Answer 1

Is to optimise OP by gathering information, observing the client and then providing recommendations to the home environment to assist with OP

Question 2

How do OTs prescribe home modifications?

Answer 2

• Advice to assist clients access the environment
• Assist clients to engage in occupations and live safely in the community
• Use clinical reasoning, agency guidelines, Australian Standards and the Building Code to determine which modifications will suit individual client
• Include repairs, maintenance, nonstructural and structural adaptations and smart technologies

Question 3

What are the 3 parts of AS 1428 Design for Access and Mobility?

Answer 3

1) General requirements for access- new building work
2) Enhanced and Additional Requirements
3) Requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities

Question 4

Describe electrical safety for home modifications

Answer 4

• AS 3000, refers to 4 zones in bathroom
• Electrical risk when modifications recommended
  ie. Installation of a fixed shower hose (hand held), removal of shower screen, plug in rubber hose

Question 5

Describe clinical reasoning and assessment for home modifications

Answer 5

• Assess environment, client, OP issues
• Collaborate to determine best intervention
• Optimise OP improving fit between PEO
• Decide what modifications best suit clients needs and functional performance

Question 6

What are the requirements for grab rails?

Answer 6

• Environment where rail will be installed
• Purpose of the rail
• Functional capacity, needs and body mechanics of the client
• Relevant standards and legislation
• Installed at entry and exit points, toilets, bathrooms, internal step

Question 7

What are the requirements for steps?

Answer 7

• Comfortably sized tread
• Slip resistant tread
• Solid and non-transparent vertical back/rise so that nothing get caught in-between each step
• Colour that contrasts with rest of tread
• Treads/risers consistent dimension through flight

Question 8

What are aspects to include when designing ramps?

Answer 8

• Ramp gradient
• Landings and circulation spaces at doorways
• Handrails
• Kerbs
• Width ramps
• Finishes
• Circulation spaces and Landings at top of ramps
• Width
• Height
• Length
• Tactile ground surface indicators

Question 9

What are the 3 different types of ramps?

Answer 9

• Threshold Ramp
• Step Ramp
• Gradient Ramp

Question 10

What is gradient?

Answer 10

Slope of ramp, determined by how high the step is.
TR= 8 x H
SR= 10 x H
GR= 14 x H

Question 11

What are the recommended gradients for different types of ramps?

Answer 11

TR= 1:8 < 35mm
SR= 1:10 < 190mm
GR= 1:14 > 190mm