The Home Environmental Assessment Protocol evaluates the physical home environment of individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia and reside with caregivers. It provides a 192-item assessment of multiple areas of the home (entrance, living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, hallways and stairs) focusing on the identification of safety hazards and physical barriers as well as any modifications made by the caregivers to support these individuals.
The evaluation is conducted through a combination of direct observation and caregiver interviews. It assesses potential hazards related to falls, lighting, clutter, adaptations such as special equipment or devices as well as the physical features of the home.
This tool is designed to be used by a variety of professionals including occupational therapists and assessments typically take 45 minutes.
Health status and risk factors Dementia
Age group Adults, Older Adults
Assessor Health professionals; occupational therapists
Sections / items 192 items
Duration 45 mins
Self-administered No
Multi-component No
Indicators Home hazards; physical barriers; home modifications
Authors Weeks, A., Lamb, B., Pickens, N.
Publication date 2010
Weeks, A. L., Lamb, B. A., & Pickens, N. D. (2010). Home modification assessments: clinical utility and treatment context. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 28(4), 396-409. https://doi.org/10.3109/02703180903528405