Home Adaptations for Independent Living: An OT's Guide

For many older adults, the home is a sanctuary. However, without the right adjustments, it can become challenging to navigate. Specialist home adaptations — guided by an Occupational Therapist — are often the key to maintaining safety, confidence, and independence in the place you love most.

The Role of OT in Home Adaptations

An Occupational Therapist looks at your home through a clinical lens — seeing how your environment, furniture layout, and daily routines interact with your physical and cognitive needs. Often, the things that disable you at home aren’t obvious. A chair that’s too low, a table blocking access to your walking frame, or poor lighting on the stairs can all be creating hidden barriers to your independence.

Through a professional home assessment, an OT identifies exactly what’s holding you back and recommends tailored solutions — from simple equipment aids to structural modifications. The goal isn’t just safety; it’s enabling you to do the things that matter most to you, in your own home, with confidence.

Key OT Recommendations for the Home

Every home and individual is different, but certain adaptations are frequently recommended to address common challenges faced by older adults. These are designed to conserve energy and reduce the risk of accidents.

Common Adaptations Throughout the Home

• In the Bathroom: This is often the highest-risk area for slips. Recommendations frequently include installing grab rails near the shower and toilet, using non-slip mats, and introducing a shower seat or raised toilet seat to minimise strain.
• On the Stairs: To support safe movement between floors, an OT may suggest fitting a second banister, improving lighting, or exploring stairlifts for those with reduced mobility.
• In the Kitchen: An OT might suggest reorganising cupboards to place heavy items at waist height, using a perching stool to sit while preparing food, or using a kettle tipper for safety.
• Living Areas: Reducing trip hazards is vital. This involves securing loose rugs, tidying trailing wires, and ensuring clear pathways. Sometimes the most impactful change is the simplest — as part of a falls prevention assessment, we may raise the height of your favourite chair with raisers or an extra cushion, or rearrange furniture so your walking frame is always within reach. These small environmental changes can transform someone’s ability to move independently.

What Happens During an Assessment?

A private home assessment is a collaborative, whole-person process. A registered Occupational Therapist will visit you at home to understand your daily routines, the activities that matter to you, and the specific barriers you’re facing. They’ll observe how you manage tasks — getting in and out of bed, washing, preparing a drink — and look at how your environment helps or hinders you. You’ll receive a written report with bespoke recommendations, ensuring you invest only in the changes that will make the biggest difference to your independence and quality of life.

The Benefits of Professional Guidance

Adapting your home can feel like a big step, but it is a positive one. With the support of an experienced Occupational Therapist, you can make informed decisions that have a lasting impact. A professional assessment provides peace of mind, ensuring that your home remains a place of safety, comfort, and independence for years to come.