Archicentre launches Home Modification Service

Being seriously injured in an accident or just becoming older and losing mobility or suffering a fall can have a major impact on a person’s ability to remain living independently in their own home.

Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects, well known for its pre-purchase home inspections and design reports, has launched a  Home Modification Report.

Jim Jovanovic, South Australian manager for Archicentre, said the Home Modification Service would provide a service to the ageing and disabled, either through government departments, agencies, insurance companies or individuals.

In general the aim is to improve homes for older people and people with disabilities – regardless of age and of ability.

Mr Jovanovic said that people aged over 65 years were at greatest risk of sustaining an injury from a fall, and that unfortunately falls in the home could also lead to the loss of independence of seniors.

For those seniors the injuries sustained as a result of a fall can mean expensive home modifications as well as sometimes an inability to return to their homes because the injuries are so severe.

“For the disabled we will advise on access from car to house (ramps, paths, etc); door openings (width and swing); kitchen layouts, bathroom layouts, toilets, laundries, taps and hot water issues; and garden access,” he said.

The service will have two types of reporting – Home Modification Report, which is an assessment of the house and a short advice on what  needs to be done or a Home Modification Concept Design, which will provide a sketch design for modifications to bathrooms, kitchens, and access.

The services will assess the house for ageing by checking the requirements of grab rails, flooring (slip issues), paths (tripping), ramps, taps and hot water issues.

In Victoria, Archicentre conducts free home safety Inspections for the Victorian government for aged pensioners, veterans’ affairs card holders and disabled persons. 

David Hallett, general manager of Archicentre, said that from 40,000 inspections conducted one in four homes had trip hazards and one in five homes had electrical faults.  Approximately 50 Home Safety Inspections per week are carried out in conjunction with occupational therapists for people who have already suffered an injury.