The Role of Occupational Therapists in Home Modification Programs at an Area Agency on Aging

The Housing Department of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) has administered home repair and modification programs for seniors since 1980. PCA now provides services to 1500 people annually through six programs. Currently funded at approximately four million dollars per year, PCA's Housing Department is the largest in any Area Agency on Aging.

In all these programs, PCA contracts with Occupational Therapist Consultants to assist the consumers and the programs to develop the most useful and appropriate modifications. In one program, serving Philadel-phians of all ages, PCA has recently initiated a follow-up inspection by the therapist. These inspections are not only of benefit to the particular consumer, but also yield useful information on construction specifications and on the modification process.