Home adaptation recommendations: the occupational therapist's approach

Adapting the home is one of the most effective ways to promote independence, provided that each solution addresses a specific difficulty. The occupational therapist assesses, links impairment to solution, and formulates reasoned recommendations that also help secure funding.

This page details the approach, the structure of the recommendations, and the available financial aid, with a template to download.

The principle: linking impairment to solution

The approach

1. The home visit. Observing the person in their real environment and daily activities.
2. The analysis of disabling situations. Identifying where and why independence breaks down (impairment × environment).
3. Recommendations. Assistive technology, adaptations, space reorganization, with each solution linked to a difficulty.
4. The written report. A reasoned and costed document, usable by contractors and funders.

The structure of a recommendation report

1. Identification and context. Individual, potential prescriber, living situation.
2. Independence assessment. Activities, environment, situations where independence breaks down.
3. Recommendations by room / activity. Difficulty → solution → justification → estimated cost.
4. Prioritisation. What is essential, what is desirable.
5. Possible funding. Schemes to mobilize depending on the situation.
6. Conclusion and next steps. Next steps (quotes, AMO, application submission).

Save time on writing

Going over each difficulty, linking it to a costed solution, and structuring the report takes time. Start with a fixed template, standardise your recommendation wording, and dictate your observations right after the visit.

This is what Delta does: you capture your observations through live note-taking or post-visit dictation, and the tool generates a structured report based on your template, with longitudinal patient memory from one assessment to the next. HDS-certified hosting, GDPR compliant.

Frequently asked questions