Environmental adaptations for individuals with functional difficulties and their families in the home and community

Abstract

Environmental adaptation is an important intervention to help individuals with disabilities remain at home independently and ease the burden of care on their families. A range of adaptations can be considered, including removing or rearranging objects, special equipment, and adaptive tools. Providing an environ-mental adaptation involves assessment of a person’s needs and capabilities and the environment’s physical and social properties, choosing an adaptation, ordering and installing it, and training the individual and family member in its use. This chapterprovides an overview of environmental adaptation as an intervention for the elderly, clinicalprinciples, and the evidence to support this approach.