Ithaca College Adult Occupational Therapy Clinic

4/9/14

The Pt.’s home environment was observed for one hour in order to assess obstacles that he may encounter when participating in self- care, leisure, and social participation. The evaluation took place at Longview, which is a retirement community where the Pt. and his wife have an apartment. The apartment is on the same floor as the entrance to the lobby. There are no stairs to enter the building or his apartment. This is considered the third floor in the independent housing community. The Pt. and his wife, B. were present during the entire observation. At the beginning of the observation, the Pt. and his wife showed us their office, where they have an adapted computer. The computer is used to mostly to download podcasts, and Skype with his daughter who lives in Sweden. The Pt.’s wife states that L. enjoys using the computer because it helps keep in touch with family members.

Next the Pt. and his wife showed us their bedroom. There are two single person beds in the room. The Pt.’s bed has a railing above to assist with transfers. His wife states that they have an aide in the morning who transfers L.B. the bed to his wheelchair, and a night aid that transfers the Pt. from his wheelchair to his bed. The aide also assists with grooming and hygiene.

Next L. showed us his bathroom. Pt.’s apartment has two bathrooms. One bathroom is used primarily by his wife and the other bathroom is adapted for Pt.’s needs. There is a shower that used to be a tub but one of the sides was taken out so that the Pt. may use a wheelchair designed for bathing in it. Pt. reports that it is difficult for the aide to get him into shower because the floor is still raised from where the tub side was taken out. The sink has not been modified for wheel chairs. L.B. compensates by rolling to the side of the sink to wash. The toilet has a railing to the side of it so he can help transfer himself from his chair to the toilet. In the back of the apartment is a patio. The Pt. states that he likes to sit outside on the patio in the late spring and summer but it has been too cold to do so. The Pt. wife says that he does not even tolerate a light breeze.

The apartment had a “stepper” that B. reported L.B. had not used in two years. The Pt. also had an oxygen machine in his room.

The Pt. and his wife then gave us a tour of Longview. There is a dining hall where they have the option to eat lunch and dinner, when Barbara doe not feel like cooking; which is reportedly quite often. There is a store run by residents if they do not feel like taking a trip out to town. There is also a library, a room devoted to Christian and Jewish services, a hair salon, and an entire recreation department. Longview also has an Assisted Living floor, and a Garden level that is similar to a nursing home.