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Home & Equipment Assessment

Supporting safety, accessibility, and independence at home

A Home & Equipment Assessment evaluates how an individual’s functional abilities interact with their home environment and the equipment they use in everyday activities.

Benchmark Occupational Therapy provides individualized assessments to identify environmental barriers, equipment needs, and practical strategies that may improve safety, accessibility, and independence following injury, illness, or a change in functional status.

Home Assessment

A home assessment examines whether the physical environment supports the individual’s current functional abilities and daily activities.

Depending on the referral question, assessment may include:

  • Access to and from the home

  • Stairs, ramps, and entrances

  • Mobility within the home

  • Bathroom accessibility

  • Bedroom setup

  • Kitchen access and use

  • Transfers

  • Furniture height and positioning

  • Laundry facilities

  • Flooring and potential environmental barriers

  • Access to commonly used household areas

  • Space available for mobility aids or other equipment

The assessment considers both the physical environment and how the individual actually performs activities within that environment.

Equipment Assessment

Adaptive equipment can sometimes reduce the physical demands of an activity, improve safety, or allow an individual to complete a task with less assistance.

Equipment needs are assessed based on the individual’s functional presentation, usual activities, home environment, and demonstrated abilities.

Recommendations may include:

  • Bathing and showering equipment

  • Toilet equipment

  • Grab bars and transfer supports

  • Mobility aids

  • Transfer equipment

  • Reachers and long-handled aids

  • Dressing and grooming equipment

  • Adaptive kitchen equipment

  • Seating or positioning equipment

  • Bed-related equipment

  • Pressure-management or comfort-related equipment

  • Other adaptive devices relevant to daily activities

Whenever appropriate, the occupational therapist considers whether existing equipment can be adjusted or used differently before recommending additional equipment.

Functional Assessment in the Home

Equipment and environmental recommendations are most useful when considered in relation to actual functional performance.

Assessment may therefore include observation or demonstration of relevant activities such as:

  • Entering or leaving the home

  • Negotiating stairs

  • Walking through the home

  • Getting in and out of bed

  • Toilet transfers

  • Bath or shower transfers

  • Kitchen activities

  • Accessing household storage

  • Using mobility aids

  • Completing other activities relevant to the referral

This allows recommendations to be based on the individual’s demonstrated abilities and the specific demands of their environment.

Bathroom Safety and Accessibility

Bathrooms are a common focus of home and equipment assessments because bathing, showering, and toileting may involve transfers, confined spaces, wet surfaces, and changes in position.

Assessment may consider:

  • Toilet height and transfer method

  • Bathtub or shower access

  • Need for seating during bathing

  • Grab-bar placement

  • Transfer equipment

  • Shower controls and handheld shower equipment

  • Available space for mobility aids

  • Ability to safely enter, exit, and move within the bathroom

Recommendations are individualized to the person and the configuration of the bathroom rather than based on a standard equipment package.

Home Access and Mobility

Assessment may also address barriers affecting entry to the home or mobility between different areas of the residence.

This may include consideration of:

  • Exterior steps

  • Railings

  • Ramps

  • Thresholds

  • Doorways

  • Interior stairs

  • Walking surfaces

  • Space for walkers or wheelchairs

  • Furniture placement

  • Access to essential areas of the home

Where modifications are being considered, occupational therapy recommendations can help identify the functional requirements that should be addressed.

Equipment Trials and Vendor Coordination

When appropriate, equipment may be trialed before a final recommendation is made.

A trial can help determine whether the equipment:

  • Fits the individual appropriately

  • Can be used safely

  • Works within the available space

  • Improves functional performance

  • Can be operated independently or with available assistance

  • Addresses the identified functional need

Benchmark Occupational Therapy may also coordinate with equipment vendors or other service providers when additional product information, fitting, installation, or specialized expertise is required.

Who May Request a Home & Equipment Assessment?

Home and equipment assessments may be requested by:

  • Automobile insurers

  • Disability insurers

  • Case managers

  • Rehabilitation professionals

  • Legal representatives

  • Individuals and families

  • Other organizations requiring an assessment of home safety, accessibility, or equipment needs