A home safety assessment is a free consultation to observe for safety concerns including fall prevention, mobility, and nutrition.
Tips & Links
- A Home Safety Assessment is when an occupational therapist (OT) comes to your home to look for safety concerns like fall prevention, mobility concerns, and any issues with meal support, medications, bathing, dressing, and hygiene. They make safety suggestions to you and those helping in your home. They might also suggest mobility aids/devices and making home modifications like safety bars in the washroom, bath/shower changes, and toilet attachments to ensure your safety.
- Be aware that you can ask your physician or nurse practitioner to make a referral for a home safety assessment or you can call your health authority directly.
- Know that if you or someone you are caring for is in hospital, a referral can be made by a hospitalist, nurse, or social worker for an occupational therapist to come and visit you as soon as you are discharged home. A family member can also make this request.
- A safety assessment can usually be completed within 48 hours of your request, depending on staffing, your location, and the urgency of the situation.
- Prepare for the assessment by completing your Mywell health planner activities Getting a Home Care Assessment, Exploring My Changing Care Needs, and My Home and Living Wishes in the section My Place to Call Home in your Mywell Health planner.
- Do these activities with a family member or care partners, preferably with the person who will be with you during the assessment – have the completed activities with you. This helps you participate in the assessment with a clear understanding of your wishes and wants.
- Write your questions and concerns down ahead of time and have someone with you to write down the answers and the suggestions made by the OT or assessor.
- Ask for a copy of the completed assessment for your Mywell Health planner.
Tools – Handouts & Videos
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