Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Aging in place refers to remaining in one's home and community throughout the aging process (Siebert, 2007). Occupational therapy can play a role in aging in place through home modifications. The purpose of the project is to research how affordable home modifications can support lower socioeconomic status, older adults age in place. The three objectives of this project include: (1) the educational presentation and booklet were effective in increasing the participant's knowledge of low-cost options and funding sources for implementing home modifications; (2) the educational presentation/booklet provide effective resources for the individuals to implement home modifications in facilitating successful aging in place; and (3) the participants will experience an increase in occupational performance and a decrease in falls as a result of making affordable home modifications. The occupational therapy (OT) student provided participants with a pre-presentation survey, PowerPoint presentation, affordable home modification booklet, home safety checklist, and post-presentation survey. This project implemented a descriptive research design, using a pre and post survey to collect data. Results from both the pre and post surveys were compared, in addition to answers from other questions, to create percentages. Based on the responses from the five individuals who participated in this project, results indicate an increase in participants' ability to identify low cost home modifications and funding options for home modifications. However, all five participants reported not looking at the affordable home modification booklet during the one month follow up. Additionally, only one participant made a home modification during the one month follow up. Therefore, it is unclear if any of the three objectives were achieved, as result of the Power Point presentation, affordable home modification booklet, or making home modifications.

Publication Date

2017

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