Advancing Home Modifications in a Digital Age: Occupational Therapists Supporting Older Adults

As digital technology increasingly integrates with daily life, its role grows ever more vital for older adults aging at home. Occupational therapists (OTs) are pivotal in ensuring that both physical home modifications and digital interventions are truly supportive, accessible, and dignified. Recent qualitative research provides insight into how older adults view these innovations—and how OTs can lead the way in implementing them.

Key Findings from the Study

A workshop-based qualitative study with older adults in Manitoba found several essential themes in supporting successful aging in place with digital home care and modifications:

• Home design, accessibility, and safety remain top priorities, particularly for those with mobility difficulties or memory impairments.
• Digital reminders and ambient (environment-integrated) technologies are highly valued, especially for supporting independence and safety at home.
• Inclusion of older adults in the design and evaluation of technologies is critical. Participants emphasized that OTs should be involved early and throughout the development process, ensuring real needs and abilities are addressed.
• Independence and dignity are the guiding values for adopting technology, with a clear need to combat digital ageism and the exclusion of older adults, which sometimes stems from stereotypes about their technological skills.

Implications for Occupational Therapists

OTs occupy a unique position—linking the environments, daily activities, and lived experiences of clients with new technology. Actions OTs can take include:

• Champion co-design: Involve clients and their families directly in choosing and integrating digital solutions (e.g., medication reminders, emergency systems, voice assistants) during home visits and assessments.
• Advocate for dignity: Ensure that all recommendations, whether digital or physical, uphold the client’s independence and sense of control.
• Bridge the digital divide: Educate and train older adults and caregivers on the use of technology, from simple devices to ambient, integrated systems.
• Address individual needs: Customize solutions according to cognitive, sensory, and physical capacity, especially for those with memory impairments or reduced mobility.

Call to Action

Now is the time for OTs to expand their toolbox—pairing classic home modifications with digital solutions guided by what older adults actually need and value.

Take Action: Connect with older adults in your community to find out directly what digital supports and modifications would most improve their daily lives. Advocate for their involvement in technology projects, and champion independence and dignity at every stage. Your insight can ensure innovative solutions are both practical and empowering for those you serve.

By integrating person-centered, tech-savvy, and dignity-focused interventions, OTs can drive a new standard for safe, connected, and independent living at home for older adults.

REFERENCE:

Choukou, M. A., Banihani, J., & Azizkhani, S. (2024). Exploring Older Adults’ Perspectives on Digital Home Care Interventions and Home Modifications: Focus Group Study. JMIR formative research, 8, e52834. https://doi.org/10.2196/52834