Occupational therapy This booklet has been designed to give you information about home assessments and explain what will happen RDaSH leading the way with care
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Home assessment A home assessment has been arranged for you On:... At:... You will be accompanied by:............ Telephone No:... What is a home assessment? A short visit to your home before you are discharged from hospital will help to identify any problems you may have in managing at home. In this way we can offer help, advice or equipment to ensure that you will be safe when you leave hospital. It also gives the opportunity for you and your family to ask questions or discuss any recommendations we may make. Why is a home assessment needed? Home assessments are offered for a variety of reasons such as: To find out if you can get into your home safely and easily. You may have to cope with steps/ stairs; or perhaps you need to find out if a wheelchair will fit through your doorway. To advise about any obvious dangers, such as trailing wires or loose rugs. To find out if you will be able to manage normal everyday tasks such as getting on and off of the toilet, getting in and out of bed or making a hot drink. To find out if you need any special equipment to help you manage better at home e.g. a raised toilet seat to help you get on and off of the toilet more easily. www.rdash.nhs.uk 3
To find out if you need help at home, e.g. help with shopping. How will I get there? Transport will be arranged for you. Sometimes a taxi or hospital transport is provided. You do not have to pay for this. Who will be there? The occupational therapist will go with you and will often lead the assessment at home. A relative or friend can be invited if you wish. This is often recommended if they help to care for you. If you are having problems with walking or you have steps/stairs at home which may be difficult, the physiotherapist will also accompany you. The social worker / assessment officer and district nurse may be present when you get home to discuss the services and support you may require on discharge. How long will it take? Usually about one hour. This gives time to assess you as you carry out everyday activities. This is an average time and whatever time you need will be allowed. At the end of the assessment you will be brought back to hospital so that the necessary arrangements can be made for your discharge. What can you do before the visit? If it has been decided that a home assessment will help, then you and any family or carers will be notified at least 24 hours in advance. A time will be arranged to suit everyone involved. It is important for the home assessment that you have: Suitable clothing for you to wear i.e. a coat, tights or stockings, gloves during winter months, in addition to the everyday clothes you wear at home. 4 Occupational therapy
Suitable outdoor footwear. Shoes are ideal but slippers are acceptable provided they give good support when you are walking. Mule type slippers or shoes can be dangerous to walk in and are not suitable. A key to your house. Alternatively, arrange for someone to be there to let everyone in. Informed a member of staff if you suffer with travel sickness. What happens after the home assessment? The occupational therapist will write a confidential report which highlights any problems you may have and includes recommendations for your future care. Copies of this report are made available to the team who are caring for you. You may see this report if you wish. A short report is also included in your care plan, so you can read it straight away. The occupational therapist will order any equipment you need and arrange for it to be fitted. If the assessment was successful and the team consider that you are ready for discharge, then the necessary arrangements will be made and a day for your discharge will be set. What happens if I don t manage on the home assessment? In some cases it may be a small problem which is easily sorted out, e.g. providing you with a special device to make it easier for you to get out of your chair. In a few cases, there may be a lot of problems, which will need longer to sort out. Occasionally, following a home assessment you may feel that you can no longer manage in your present home. You may need to think about living somewhere else and the team can help you decide what to do. www.rdash.nhs.uk 5
Please remember that the home assessment is not a test. Following the home assessment you may decide not to follow the advice given. This will not prevent you from going home. By completing this home assessment procedure it is hoped that you will leave the hospital safely and that appropriate precautions are taken to prevent you being re-admitted. Thank you for reading this leaflet. Should you or your family have any concerns you can contact a member of staff or your named occupational therapist. Comments, compliments and complaints You can help us to improve and develop our services by giving us your comments. You can do this by speaking to one of the ward team or, alternatively, please complete a pre-paid Your Opinion Counts form. You will receive a reply to your comments if you add your name and address In addition, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is able to assist patients, family and carers when you need advice, have concerns or don t know where to turn. PALS can be contacted during office hours on 0800 015 4334. If you feel there is cause for complaint, all correspondence should be sent to: Complaints Manager RDaSH Woodfield House, Tickhill Road Hospital, Balby, Doncaster DN4 8QN Telephone: 01302 796201 A guidance leaflet entitled Your Right to Complain is available in all areas and gives explanation of the complaints procedure. 6 Occupational therapy
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This information is correct at the time of publishing Last Reviewed: April 2013 get approved We are a smokefree organisation. Please provide a smoke free environment for your healthcare provider Print Services 01302 796125 DP1574/04.13