Home modifications
Home Modifications are defined as structural changes made to the home environment to help people to be more independent and safe in their own home and reduce any risk of injury to their carers and careworkers [1]. Modifications to the home include changes to the structure of the dwelling. Examples include widening doors, adding ramps, providing better accessibility etc. and the installation of assistive devices inside or outside the dwelling e.g. grabrails, handrails, lifts etc. [2]
Because home modifications assist people with disability and older people to be more independent there is a growing body of evidence that they may reduce the need for ongoing assistance and care giving. This has direct implications on the issue of care burden and wellbeing in ageing populations and there is a developing body of research investigating these aspect of home modifications. See the Evidence base on Home Modifications section below.
How are home modifications organised Home Modifications can be installed privately [3] or in some countries are subsidised through the government sector. In Australia, government subsidised home modifications are provided in some states through the Home and Community Care Program (HACC)[4].
Peak Organisations governing Home Modifications The Home Modifications Australia (MOD.A) is the peak organisation for the HMMS industry in Australia. Mod.A is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the interests of Home Modification and Maintenance Service providers to ensure outcomes and service delivery are achieved via capacity-building initiatives and sector development. [5]
Evidence base on Home Modifications The global evidence base on home modifications is varied, and there is general acknowledgmeent across the fields of housing and health that more research is needed in order to understand the value and role of home modifications in ageing populations. Some examples of research into the evidence base of home modifications are outlined below: Home modifications and Falls Prevention Home Modifications and Increased ability into perform daily tasks independently Home modifications and substituting for caregiving Home modifications and increasing wellbeing
Research on specific types of home modifications Grab rails Ramps versus lifts Landscape modification Bathroom Electricity
- ^ Home and Community Care Program. (2007). NSW service type guidelines for Home and Community Care (HACC): Home modification.
- ^ http://www.homemods.info/about-us
- ^ http://www.homemods.info/hminfo-libraries/research-library/diy-home-modifications-an-australian-case-study-of-choice-and-control
- ^ http://health.gov.au/hacc
- ^ http://www.nswhmms.org.au/