Tag: homeaccessibility
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Aging in Place Through Winter: Preparing Homes and Clients for the Season’s Unique Challenges
Winter presents distinct challenges for older adults aging in place, with cold weather, reduced daylight, increased isolation, and seasonal hazards all converging to threaten health, safety, and independence. As occupational therapists specializing in home modifications and aging in place support, we play a critical role in preparing clients and their environments for successful winter navigation.…
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The Hidden Fall Risk in Your Patient’s Pill Bottle: A Therapist’s Action Plan
Therapists play a crucial role in fall prevention, not just by addressing physical factors, but also by advocating for safe medication management and interdisciplinary collaboration. The evidence is clear: the combination of certain medications and polypharmacy (multiple drugs) significantly elevates older adults’ fall risk—so specific, research-based action is needed. Key Drugs That Increase Fall Risk…
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The Value of Occupational Therapy in the Home Environment: Educating Families and Referral Sources During National Home Care Month
November is National Home Care and Hospice Month, making it an ideal time to educate referral sources and families about the unique value occupational therapists bring to home-based practice. Home-based OT provides assessment and intervention advantages impossible to replicate in clinic settings, yet many potential clients and referral sources don’t fully understand these benefits. The Clinical…
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Assessing and Modifying Homes for Clients with Diabetes: A Fall Prevention Guide for Therapists
As occupational therapists specializing in home modifications, understanding the diabetes-fall connection is essential for comprehensive client assessment and intervention planning. Clients with diabetes face twice the fall risk compared to those without diabetes, making our role in environmental assessment and modification critical to their safety and independence. Clinical Assessment of Diabetes-Related Fall Risk Factors During home evaluations,…
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HEAP-R: Elevating Home Safety Assessments for Persons with Dementia
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Occupational therapists (OTs) are uniquely positioned to help persons with dementia and their caregivers navigate the complex challenges of maintaining safety and independence at home. As dementia progresses, risks of accidents, confusion, and decreased function grow. To address these concerns systematically, evidence-based assessment tools are essential. The Home Environment Assessment…
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Invisible Accessibility: The 2025 Design Revolution
Gone are the days when “accessible” meant “clinical.” In 2025, the most effective home safety features are the ones you wouldn’t recognize as accessibility aids at all. Universal design has evolved from a specialized niche into the new standard for residential design, with homeowners embracing modifications that seamlessly blend function with style. This design revolution…
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Integrating Smart Home Technology for Aging in Place: Practical Applications for Home Accessibility Assessments
Smart home technology is revolutionizing how older adults age in place, with 89% of adults age 50-plus ranking aging in place as important according to recent AARP research. However, only 10% of American homes are adequately designed for aging populations. As occupational therapy professionals, understanding and recommending appropriate assistive technology devices can bridge this gap.…
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Beyond Grab Bars: How Home Environment Shapes Mental Health Recovery in Older Adults
Mrs. Chen sat across from me in the living room of her home, her hands folded tightly in her lap. At 73, she’d recovered well from her hip fracture. Her daughter had done everything right—installed grab bars in the bathroom, added a raised toilet seat, purchased a rolling walker, and even rearranged the bedroom furniture…
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Do home modifications impact mental health?
Occupational therapists specializing in home modifications have a unique, often under-leveraged role in promoting mental health—not just for clients, but for caregivers as well. Many therapists struggle with how to go beyond functional safety to address broader psychosocial needs or worry that recommending home modifications might add to family stress or expense. But current evidence…
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“Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself”
As occupational therapists and home accessibility specialists, September’s Healthy Aging® Month theme—“Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself”—aligns perfectly with our mission to empower older adults and individuals of all abilities to live with confidence, independence, and purpose. This annual observance is an opportunity to inspire not only the people we serve but also our colleagues…
The Home Accessibility Therapist LLC 