Client-centred home modifications improve daily activity performance of older adults

Remaining at home is a high priority for many older adults, but the capacity to "age in place" often is threatened by environmental barriers.

To describe a client-centred occupational therapy home modification intervention program and examine the impact of the intervention on daily activity performance over time.

Using a competence-environmental press framework, a client-centred home modification program for older adults was implemented. In this quasiexperimental, single group prospective study, participants'subjective ratings of daily activity performance were evaluated before and after the intervention (baseline/post/post).

After home modification, participants'perception of their daily activity performance at home improved significantly and was maintained 2 years post-modification.

Home modification may benefit older adults attempting to age in place.