My Aging Parents

Three Things with Karen Koch, OT.

What do older adults and their families find out about home modifications that they wish they knew earlier? 

That’s the question I asked Karen Koch, an occupational therapist, licensed builder, and founder of the Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance.

Here, in her own words, are three things Karen wants you and your parents to know:

1. Home modifications make life easier now and later.

When we do an OT design consultation for an older adult, we visit in person to assess their condition, their health history, and their living space. 

We do a lot of listening. We ask a lot of questions. And based on our evaluation, we recommend modifications that can make life easier now and help your parent live at home as their needs change.

An OT design consultation recommends short-term modifications to improve safety and ease-of-use immediately. 

Grab bars in the bathroom, improved lighting, and removing trip hazards are important. But we can also set up a home to reduce stress on the joints and the pain and mobility issues caused by arthritis. 

People are always surprised at how much easier it is to function in their home. It’s a huge relief.

One of our most popular recommendations is to replace toilet paper holders that use spring-loaded tension bars. They’re a real nightmare if you have arthritis. 

Instead, we install models where the paper slides over a bar that pivots. Some designs also feature a built-in grab bar. 

A thoughtful consultation also recommends long-term modifications that consider how your parent’s living space may need to change over time. And if your parent has a progressive condition such as hearing or vision loss, cognitive impairment, or Parkinson’s, planning ahead is essential.

2. Home modifications can be beautiful.

Most people have no idea about the growing selection of products and materials that are designed to look great, too. 

These are not your grandparents’ home modifications. Yes, you can get brushed aluminum grab bars that look exactly like what you’ll find in a nursing home. But you can also find grab bars that are functional and gorgeous. 

Replacing towel bars with designer grab bars is another easy way to update the bathroom and improve safety.

Small changes can make a big difference. Home modifications can be as simple as toilet paper holders and upgraded lighting. They can also be as comprehensive as bathroom, kitchen, and mobility makeovers. 

That’s why you want to plan ahead, so your parent has the time to consider which fixtures, styles, and finishes will also make their home look beautiful. 

Because when your family is scrambling to make home mods after Dad’s rehab stay, time is a luxury you won’t have.

3. Don’t wait to get an OT design consultation.

The best time to get an OT design consultation is before there’s a crisis, especially if your parent is experiencing symptoms that increase their risk of falling. 

Don’t wait for their hearing, vision, balance, or memory to get worse. Don’t wait for another fall. 

When your health is failing, the physical and psychological toll can feel devastating. No one wants the added stress of having to make changes in their home. Or dealing with contractors. 

It’s amazing how much easier life is when you set things up ahead of time. It gives Mom and Dad more control over a collaborative process, so they can make educated decisions: Here’s what needs to be done immediately. Here’s what you need to consider down the road.

And when it’s possible, we offer different pricing tiers and alternative solutions, so people can decide how much they can or want to do.

You can’t prepare for everything, but you can prepare your home.

For More:

• ​​​Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance. HMOTA is a nationwide network of licensed OTs who specialize in home evaluations and modifications.

Thanks for caring,