OSOT and Partners Impact Home Modification Sector

As a member of a consortium of individuals and organizations concerned about the need to better organized and integrate the home modification marketplace to best meet the needs of a growing aging population who wish to age in place, OSOT is delighted to see the impacts of this joint work.  Home Modification Canada (HMC) came together in 2015 under the leadership of Caregiver Omnimedia to promote attention to home modification - converting or adapting an existing home environment in order to make tasks easier, the space safer and more supportive of independent living.

OSOT has had representation on the HMC Steering Committee in the person of Lesya Dyk.  

In the spring of 2017 HMC made a presentation to the Canadian Homebuilders Association with a proposal to develop a multi-faceted national partnership approach that heightens the quality, reach, simplicity and impacts of innovative home modifications for aging or disabled individuals.  Goals included:

• to support builders/contractors, manufacturers, retailers and set standards, accredit and ensure the quality and value of home modifications
  
  
• to coordinate information about existing funding/financing mechanisms for home renovations/modifications
  
  
• to support planning of new innovative training programs for OTs, home care nurses, contractors, suppliers, etc. that support people to plan home modifications
  
  
• to foster more dynamic public conversations about agin in place and home modifications
  
  
• to encourage the application of research and innovation in the fields of smart home technologies, practical products and solutions for home modifications and accessibility
   
• to support national, provincial and local policy makers to remove barriers, facilitate and incent home modifications for seniors

The good news?  CHBA is enthused about the proposal and its recommendations and has agreed to work forward with Home Modifications Canada to develop a CHBA Council focused on Home Modification that would provide a forum through which to address the many other recommendations.

Implications for Occupational Therapists

Attention to how one's environment influences and enables one to do what one needs and wants to do is germaine to occupational therapy.  There is skill and knowledge in the profession to contribute to a growing focus on accessibility, aging in place and home modification.  The potential to see the sector grow and develop with OT in the middle of the milieu is exciting.  Appreciation is extended to Lesya Dyk, OSOT's rep to the HMC Steering Committee.

OTs will wish to reflect on the potential implications that focused attention at a sectoral level to improving services related to home modification may have for their own practices and development opportunities.