We spend most of our days in our homes, whether entertaining, sleeping, or relaxing. We also spend a lot of time looking after our homes. We pay insurance, line the walls with our favourite photographs, and wipe the dog’s muddy footprints from the floor. But, when you live or a loved one with a disability, it’s important to ask yourself whether the four walls you call home are serving you as best they can.

How can you tell if your home is truly accessible? And when should you contemplate making modifications to ensure your homes care for you as much as you care for them?

Every home is built differently. The brick house on the corner of the street was probably built by hand, whereas the new Hamptons home next door was built using new technology and equipment. And while both houses are different, with both flaws and benefits, it’s almost guaranteed neither one was built with accessibility in mind.

So, unless you are lucky enough to call a purpose-built accessible house your home, it’s likely your home may not provide the level of accessibility it truly should.

Similar to your home, your needs will differ depending on your disability. And it’s possible they’ll change as you age. To make your home more accessible, you can consider home modifications:

  • Minor home modifications include items such as grab rails, platform steps, minor/small ramps, and bannister rails.
  • Complex home modifications include aspects such as widening doorways, stepless showers, ramps and lifts.

Is my house accessible?

Before committing to home modifications, assessing your needs is important. Some questions to consider when thinking about your home accessibility are:

  • Can I do everything I need to do with ease in my home?
  • Can I access every part of my home safely and without assistance?
  • Is there adequate space for mobility in the house?
  • Is the current furniture supporting me (e.g. can I easily get in and out of my bed?)?

How safe is your home?

Receive your free home safety checklist

Home modifications with an Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapy and home modification go hand-in-hand. An Occupational Therapist with skills and experience in home modifications can work with you to plan and execute your home modifications, always ensuring your accessibility. They may even be able to recommend new technology or upgrades you hadn’t thought of.

Enabled Designs Occupational Therapists will support and work with their clients to create accessible homes. We follow a six-step process for our clients on their journey of home modifications:

  1. Onboarding
  2. Welcome call
  3. Assessment and develop your goals and support plan
  4. Explore solutions and funding options
  5. Advocate to funding bodies
  6. Get the work done for you, complete final checks and provide user education

Our clients are at the centre of our work, and you’ll be involved in every step of the process.

Assessment for home modifications with NDIS

Home modification occupational therapy is covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), so depending on your goals and plan, you can claim your home modifications.

Our experienced team will undertake a detailed assessment of your home as part of our process. This includes:

  • Assessing your safety
  • Assessing your usability
  • Understanding your goals and physical requirements
  • Understanding any areas of concern

After we complete our assessment, we will write detailed reports and recommendations to outline the modifications required for your home. These reports will follow the NDIS occupational therapy requirements to ensure the funding bodies can align your needs with your plan.

Undertaking home modifications

Once we’ve locked in the plan and funding, we’re here to help with the execution of the work, too!

Our team can liaise with builders, architects and project managers to complete the work on your home to ensure everything is done correctly. This can include ensuring the rails are installed at the right height or overseeing the installation of ramps and showing you how to access them safely.

Why work with Enabled Designs?

It’s our mission to help maximise independence through high-quality home modifications and assistive technology.

Drawing on over 15 years of proven experience and expertise, we are committed to creating innovative approaches to achieving our clients’ goals. Our occupational therapists have extensive supplier networks, ensuring we can effectively explore and implement home modifications tailored to your needs.

Please contact us today to find out how we can help make your home feel like the accessible home you deserve.

 

Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Enabled Designs can consult with you regarding your individual health needs.