Tag: wellness
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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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Evidence-Based Fall Prevention Through Home Modifications: What Occupational Therapists Need to Know
Falls represent one of the most significant health risks for community-dwelling older adults, with approximately one-third experiencing at least one fall annually. As occupational therapy professionals, understanding evidence-based home modification strategies is critical for reducing fall risk and supporting aging in place. Recent systematic reviews have identified specific environmental modifications that can reduce fall rates…
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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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Transforming Homes, Elevating Minds: OTs Lead the Way to Better Mental Health Through Home Modifications
October is Mental Health Awareness month, and occupational therapists who specialize in home modifications can make a significant impact on the mental health and overall well-being for seniors who face challenges at home. Home modifications are far more than a set of physical changes—they are catalysts for independence, emotional well-being, and relief for both older…
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Family Dynamics and Home Modifications: Navigating Resistance and Role Reversals During Holiday Visits
The text message arrived the week after Thanksgiving: “I saw Mom this weekend. She’s not okay. The house is a mess, she’s barely eating, and she almost fell right in front of me. I’ve been telling her for months she needs help but she won’t listen. Can you see her?” This scenario plays out in…
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Supporting Breast Cancer Survivors at Home: The OT’s Expanded Role
The call came at 8:30 on a Monday morning. Sarah’s voice was tight with frustration and worry. “Mom came home from her mastectomy two weeks ago. She’s doing okay, I think. But this morning she called me crying because she couldn’t lift her arm high enough to get her coffee mug from the cabinet. She…
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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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Promoting Healthy Aging: A evidence based role for OT in wellness and prevention
Occupational therapists can play a critical role in healthy aging by promoting physical activity, sleep hygiene, healthy eating, meaningful occupation, and proactive planning for major life transitions. Drawing on both recent research and OT best-practice guidelines, therapists in community or private practice settings can implement detailed interventions that support wellness among older adults, including those…
The Home Accessibility Therapist LLC 