Level-access showers
Replacing a bath with a level-access shower or wet room, with seat and rail positions specified.
Occupational therapy home assessments and adaptations
A home visit from an occupational therapist to work out what would make your home safer and easier to live in, from grab rails to level-access showers, with a written report you can share with builders, councils and funders.
- Room-by-room home visit
- Hospital discharge planning
- Reports for DFG applications
- Property suitability checks
Request a quote
Tell us a little about what you need and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
At a glance
Home assessments and adaptation advice from Private Occupational Therapy
Private Occupational Therapy carries out occupational therapy home assessments for adults, older people and families of disabled children, then recommends the equipment and adaptations that would make the home safer and easier to use.
After an initial conversation, an occupational therapist visits the home, watches everyday tasks in each room and takes measurements. You then receive a written report with prioritised recommendations, ranging from grab rails to level-access showers, stairlifts and ramps, with follow-up available where needed.
What happens when you book
- A chat about concerns and priorities first
- A quote before the visit is arranged
- A report you can share with builders and funders
- Each recommendation explained in plain English
- Liaison with family, councils or case managers, with consent
Who it helps
When is an OT home assessment worth arranging?
Many people book a home assessment when something has changed and they are unsure what to do, or when they want professional advice before spending money on alterations.
Families often arrange one for a parent who has started to struggle, or before a relative comes home from hospital. Others need evidence for a grant, a housing provider or a legal claim. Where falls are the main worry, our falls prevention service for older adults may be the better starting point.
Typical reasons for a visit
- Planning a safe hospital discharge
- Difficulty using the bath or shower
- Stairs becoming tiring or unsafe
- Steps at the front or back door
- Recent falls or near misses
- A child's needs changing as they grow
- Wheelchair access around the home
- Checking a property before buying or renting
What the home assessment covers
The visit involves watching real tasks rather than relying on description alone. The therapist takes measurements, notes risks and talks through daily routines with the person and anyone who supports them.
Getting in and out
Steps, thresholds, door widths, paths and parking are checked, along with whether a rail, a ramp or a change to the entrance would allow safe access.
Stairs and moving between floors
The assessment looks at how stairs are managed now and what may be needed later, such as a second banister, a stairlift or, in some homes, a through-floor lift.
Bathroom, kitchen and bedroom
Transfers on and off the toilet, in and out of the bath, and around the kitchen and bed are observed. This is usually where questions about level-access showers, toilet heights and bed positions get answered.
Adaptations
OT home adaptations advice, from minor to major
Recommendations are prioritised so the most important changes come first. Getting the specification right at the outset reduces the risk of paying for alterations that do not quite work.
Stairlifts and rails
Whether a stairlift suits the staircase and the person, or whether rails and a second banister are enough.
Ramps and entrances
Gradients, landings and handrails for ramps, plus threshold changes for wheelchair users.
Minor adaptations
Grab rails, lever taps, door entry systems and better lighting.
Major works
Input on extensions, through-floor lifts and room conversions, alongside architects and builders.
Property suitability
Visiting or reviewing plans of a potential home to judge whether it suits current and future needs.
How it works
How a home assessment is arranged
The steps match the wider process described on how it works.
Tell us about the home
Send a few details about the person, the property and the main concerns, including any discharge date or grant deadline.
Quote and booking
You receive a quote for the visit and report, and a date is arranged once you are happy to go ahead.
The home visit
The therapist observes everyday tasks, measures key areas and discusses priorities with the person and family.
Report and follow-up
A written report sets out prioritised recommendations, with optional follow-up to review plans or finished works.
Reports for Disabled Facilities Grants, builders and claims
A Private Occupational Therapy home assessment report is written to be used. It explains the person's needs, the difficulties observed and the specific adaptations or equipment recommended, with measurements where relevant. Builders and architects can work from it, and families can use it to compare quotes.
Disabled Facilities Grant applications
Some councils will consider a private occupational therapy report as part of a Disabled Facilities Grant application, while others require their own assessment. Councils' processes vary, so it is worth checking with your local authority first; the report can then be written with that process in mind.
Personal injury and housing providers
Solicitors, case managers and housing providers sometimes need evidence about accommodation needs. For full care and accommodation reports within a claim, see medico-legal and care needs reports.
Home visits across Newcastle and the North East
Home assessments take place in person across Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham. Plans or photos of a property further afield can sometimes be reviewed by arrangement, and video works well for follow-up conversations. The areas we cover page lists locations in more detail.
What a home assessment costs
Fees depend on the size of the property, the complexity of needs and the type of report required. Home assessments are commonly paid for by self-funders, case managers and some insurers. The fees and funding page explains the main routes.
FAQs
Home assessment and adaptation FAQs
How long does an OT home assessment take?
Many visits take between one and two hours, depending on the size of the home and how complex the needs are. The written report follows afterwards.
Can you help plan for someone coming home from hospital?
Yes. A visit before or soon after discharge can identify the equipment and changes needed for a safe return home. Mention the expected discharge date when you get in touch.
Will the report cover equipment as well as building work?
Yes. Smaller items such as bath boards, toilet frames and perching stools are often included. For hoists or specialist seating, an equipment and seating assessment may be suggested.
Can a family member arrange the assessment?
Yes, provided the person is happy for the visit to go ahead, or a lawful decision-maker agrees where they lack capacity. It helps if a relative can be there.
Do you assess homes for disabled children?
Yes. The assessment considers how a child's needs may change as they grow, so adaptations stay useful for longer. Ongoing support is available through paediatric occupational therapy.
Arrange an occupational therapy home assessment
Tell us about the home and the main concerns, including any discharge date or grant deadline, and Private Occupational Therapy will send a quote by email.