Bridging the Gap: Smart Home Modification Framework for Occupational Therapists

Smart home technologies hold great promise for people with physical disabilities, yet their real-world use often lags behind due to complex interfaces, high costs, technical challenges, and lack of institutional support. A recent study tackled this challenge head-on by developing a validated, expert-driven framework designed to help occupational therapists (OTs) confidently recommend and implement smart home modifications.

Key Findings from the Delphi Study

• Critical Need Identified: There is a major gap between the potential of smart home technology to enhance independence and quality of life for people with physical disabilities—and the current low rate of real-world adoption, hampered by accessibility, financial, and technical issues.
• Expert Consensus Achieved: Thirty multidisciplinary experts participated in a three-round Delphi survey, ultimately agreeing on 59 essential items for a smart home modification program. The consensus was strong, with high ratings on the relevance, consistency, and utility of items in the final framework (average content validity ratio of .96 and a consensus point of .92).
• Validated Framework: The study delivers a robust structure that OTs can use to guide assessment, recommendation, and implementation of smart home interventions, and to identify when more extensive environmental modifications may be needed.

Implications and Suggestions for Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to translate these expert-driven standards into real-world practice:

• Adopt the Framework: Use the validated items as a checklist during home assessments to ensure that recommended smart technologies are practical, relevant, and appropriate for each client’s needs and abilities. The checklist is available in the article.
• Address Common Barriers: Be proactive in helping clients and their families navigate costs, training, and troubleshooting for smart home devices. Advocate for funding support and institutional policies that expand access to necessary technology.
• Expand Your Role: Leverage the framework to identify clients who would benefit from more extensive environmental modifications—including those who need both physical and digital solutions for optimal independence.
• Educate and Empower: Provide training sessions and resources for clients and caregivers on using smart technologies effectively and with confidence.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work closely with engineers, technology specialists, and care teams to ensure modifications are safe, functional, and fit seamlessly into everyday life.

Call to Action

Smart home modifications are not just futuristic—they are essential tools that can dramatically improve independence and quality of life for people with physical disabilities.

Take action: Start integrating this validated framework into your practice. Assess current clients for readiness, collaborate with community partners, and champion smart home innovations that are accessible and user-friendly. Advocate for organizational and policy support to make smart home technology a routine—and effective—part of occupational therapy home modifications.

By using this evidence-based resource, OTs can lead the way in closing the gap between the promise of smart home technology and its everyday benefits for the people who need it most.

REFERENCES:

Mun, K., & Kim, J. (2024). Development of a Smart Home Modification Program: A Delphi Survey of Multidisciplinary Health Care Experts. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 78(5), 7805205130. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050651