Welcome to the Senior Home Repair Project image gallery, representing examples of home modifications. These recommendations were generated based on thorough assessments of the individuals’ homes using the Occupational Therapy Home Assessment. The image descriptions explain the rationale for each of the recommendations.
This photograph features a lever door handle that has been installed on a basement door. The lever door is large and designed to be universally accessible. The handle can be easily manipulated and does not require a great deal of fine motor control. It can be activated or turned with various body parts, assistive devices, or objects, in addition to a hand or fingers. | |
This photograph displays drawer pulls that have been added to the dresser. The “Bar Drawer Pulls” were added because they are universally designed and easier to use than many other handle or pull designs. They also are relatively large and have an adequate amount of space between the pulls and the drawer, so that the user can easily get his/her hand in between them. They also are useful for arthritic hands and can be accessed easily using an assistive device such as a grabber. The pulls reduce the forces necessary to open and close the drawers. | |
This photograph features a low-vision telephone that has been placed on top of a table. The phone is easily accessible for people with low vision. The phone features large gray buttons with big white numbers on them fostering a high contrast from the background, making it easier to see. There also is a display with large letters and numbers on the phone, so that the user is able to more easily identify who has called, whether there are any messages, and see the date and time. The phone is attached by a large white cord and plugged into a phone jack on the wall behind it. | |
This photograph features railings that have been added to both sides of a basement stairwell (e.g. double railings) and grip-tape on the edge of each of the steps. The double railings are large and wooden, enabling increased balance and stability of the user. The black, abrasive strips are attached on the ends of each one of the steps and are slip-resistant. The strips are composed of a gritty, textured material that increases tread and traction on the wooden stairs. This feature also increases safety and decreases the chances of falls occurring on the stairs. The strips comply with universal design standards and are a good safety precaution for homeowners of all ages. | |
This photograph shows tactile, colored dots that have been strategically placed on the burner knobs. They enable the user to more easily view the stove and oven settings. Bright, yellow dots mark the knob that corresponds with each burner on the stove. Red dots are located at the top of the four burner knobs highlighting the “off” positions for the burners. The red dots also allow the viewer to gauge how high or low the oven settings are placed relative to the “off” position. The red dots on the right side of the photograph cover three important stove controls, allowing the user to quickly and easily locate needed switches. | |
This photograph features large removable grab bars that have been attached on either side of a toilet. The grab bars are unique because they can be flipped up and temporarily positioned out of the way. The grab bars also are useful to enable proper body mechanics and to prevent falls or slips. The grab bars can easily be assembled and removed. Because the grab bars have a larger diameter, they are more easily grasped. |