It is with great pleasure that I introduce Home Fit Homes, LLC!
This business is something I have been wanting to get started for some time now and I'm finally taking action and diving in. We are in the start-up phase but I am excited to see where this new venture takes me.
In my years of experience as an occupational therapist (OT) in inpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, outpatient and home health settings, it became clear that as a generalist OT I could not meet the needs of my patients beyond basic home modification assessment and recommendations. I could only make recommendations that could get them home to manage for the time being, not necessarily plan for the future or prevent another fall or accident. When it came to discharge planning, home accessibility was a common barrier and often resulted in delayed discharge until temporary modifications were made or the only option in many cases was to move to the nursing home.
Living at home is a top priority for most individuals. Maybe they worry about the finances of moving to a nursing home. Maybe they want to maintain their privacy. Often times it isn't until a situation happens that prompts us to modify our home. But what if individuals could also be proactive in making those modifications to prevent that situation in the first place or better yet be prepared for if it happens?
Here are some example thoughts where a home modification assessment could be of great value to you or a loved one.
1. Mom has had several falls at home since dad passed away. Nothing serious but I worry she may break her hip or hit her head and not be able to live at home anymore.
2. My daughter has muscular dystrophy and time will only tell when she will need a power wheelchair. Should we renovate our home or try to find a different home that can be accessible?
3. My husband just suffered a stroke. I worry he may have another one and no longer be able to live at home because our only bathroom is on the second floor.
4. My wife and I just bought our forever home and would like to make renovations. How can we be smart about the design for our future?
5. I am having a hard time taking a shower because I can't get in and out of the tub or stand long enough. I feel embarrassed so I don't go out of the house as much as I used to.
6. My parents are getting older and can't come to holidays at my house anymore because I have a large set of stairs to enter the house and they can't get around easily with their walkers.
7. I was in a car accident and suffered a spinal cord injury leaving me paralyzed and in a wheelchair. How am I going to be able to live at home now?
Can you relate? My goal for Home Fit Homes is to reach all of these types of individuals. Whether it is a daughter looking to help her parents be safe, a retired couple thinking to the future, an individual that suffered a traumatic injury, a family member wanting others to visit their home, or someone looking to buy a new home, the lens and perspective of an OT is invaluable when it comes to making these decisions. I hope to make a difference for individuals by making their homes safe, accessible, and of course fit.
I am so glad you found us! Subscribe today and dive in on the action with me as we start this new business, helping individuals thrive at home despite age or ability.
Take care,
Jessica
Comments