Week 3

Question 1

What roles and occupations are we likely to investigate?

Answer 1

• Self care - bathing, toileting, washing
• IADL- cooking, cleaning & maintenance
• Leisure Activities – relaxing, gardening,
• Social Activities – entertaining, social outings

Question 2

Purpose of the home visit: gathering information

Answer 2

• To gather cues about the person’s safety, independence and well-being in the home environment
• To test hypotheses about the impact of the impairment on his/her life
• To understand the person’s story – goals and concerns
• To understand the dimensions of the environment that are likely to impact on decisions and interventions

Question 3

Purpose of the home visit: collaboration

Answer 3

• Identify potential areas of concern and discuss these with the client
• Negotiate with the client to identify the key issues
• Present range of alternative interventions to address prioritised issues
• Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each option
• Collaborate with the individual to identify the best solution for them in their environment
• Discuss professional concerns if therapist and client have differing opinions on issues or solutions

Question 4

Process of a home visit

Answer 4

• Referral and initial phone call with client
• Be prepared – info, forms, tools, info on interventions
• On the way - note location and topography of residence
• On arrival - establish rapport
• Interview - Listen and collaborate
• Interview and observation - gather information on the person - environment – occupation transaction
• Assessment – standardized measures
• Observe and measure the environment
• Negotiate best intervention
• Write the report – including drawings of rooms to be modified

Question 5

Essentials for home visits

Answer 5

• Tape Measure
• Clipboard
• String Level and string or clinometer
• Pens and Pencils

Question 6

Initial interview - establish rapport

Answer 6

Take time to:
Establish your presence in the house (sit, chat have a cup of tea)
Ensure all relevant people are present
Understand their perception of issues, purpose of the visit, concerns through how, when, what questions or tell me probes
Clarify why you are there and what you can offer (what you can’t offer) - Explain OT and home visit process

Question 7

Interview - Listen and collaborate

Answer 7

Understand person’s story – note their goals & concerns
Understand the dimensions of the home environment that are likely to impact on interventions
Identify potential areas of concern and discuss these with the client
Negotiate with the client to identify the key issues

Question 8

Evaluating the Environment - Safety

Answer 8

• Level changes
• Uneven surfaces
• Flooring poor repair
• Shadows or unmarked edges
• Obstacles on pathway or overhead
• Slippery surfaces
• Awkward layout
• Protruding legs/knobs or edges
• Low or high shelves
• Poor lighting
• Unsteady or low seating

Question 9

Evaluating the Environment – Accessibility

Answer 9

• Level / ramped entry
• Circulation space at doors and fixtures
• Heights of windows
• Door widths
• Width of pathways
• Heights of controls and fittings and services
• Wheel- in space under tables, sinks, etc
• Logical and simple paths of travel
• Clear signage