Why choose an occupational therapist?

I’ve been asked what is the benefit of using an occupational therapist in home remodeling for those that want to age in place. “Occupational therapy is a skilled health, rehabilitation, and educational service that helps people across the lifepan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (AOTA, 2015).” It is our mission to allow you to do what you want to do, and that includes living a fulfilling and safe life within the home of your choice. While it is true that a lot of information can be found online about simple home modifications and how to keep yourself safe in your home, an occupational therapist can bring additional and unique insight onto making your home fit you. My education included coursework on anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, neurology, gerontology, disease and disability, human development, assistive technology, psychology and abnormal psychology, along with in-depth training on activity analysis. This comprehensive skill set helps me assess your current and possible future level of functioning within your home.

After obtaining a personal and family health history I will observe you within your home to analyze how your interact with your home environment. The interaction between you, your environment, and the activities that you do can either be enhanced or made more difficult by your home. There is much helpful information and guidelines on universal design and ADA rules written for the general population. But each person is an individual and not a statistic, having grab bars set at 34 inches doesn’t take into account a person with a rotator cuff injury or someone who is very tall or short. While my academic education did not include construction, I am a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) through the National Association of Home Builders and am currently pursuing USC’s Executive Certificate in Home Modifications which allows me to better communicate and work with your home re-modeler to enhance and improve upon any designs and plans.   All of this information and collaboration leads to a very specific and individualized plan to best meet your current and anticipated abilities, making your home fit you.