Frequently Asked Questions

Q.	What is the “occupational” in occupational therapist? I’m retired! A. In this case, occupational means how you occupy your time. It applies to any activity that is important to you. Our team is clinically trained to assess your ability to perform them, regardless of your physical, cognitive, psychological or emotional limitations. As a part of that assessment, we identify obstacles that make the performance of those activities difficult.
Q.	I already have a builder. Doesn’t he know everything you do? A. No, he doesn’t have the occupational therapy training our team has, nor does he have the experience of working with other people with similar conditions or limitations. Most builders will be happy to have our therapists assess your needs – it will make the finished product better and more perfectly suited to you. We become another expert on the builder’s team, similar to the expert plumber, electrician and carpenter on the team the builder already employs. We serve as the expert on the person’s ability to function comfortably, effectively and safely within the home.
Q.	Doesn’t everyone with CAPS certification know what you know? A. No, the occupational therapy training we have sets us apart from CAPS-certified individuals. Occupational therapists are clinically trained to assess your ability, regardless of your physical, cognitive, psychological or emotional limitations. In fact, the CAPS curriculum actively encourages those seeking certification to find a health care professional – especially an occupational therapist – to work with. Experienced OT’s like ours bring insights from working with other patients and families in a clinical setting. A CAPS-certified provider will welcome the contribution we can make.
Q.	A grab bar is a grab bar, right? A. Well, not exactly. This question leads to more questions: Is the grab bar for balance or to take your weight as you change position? Will you be pushing down on the grab bar or using it to pull yourself up? Depending on how it will be used, a grab bar can be mounted horizontally or vertically. The placement depends on the height of the individual, with what activity they are using the grab bar to assist, and how their mobility may be limited. Beyond basic practicality, a grab bar can be a grab bar without looking like a grab bar. If your loved one is concerned about the appearance of a grab bar, there are plenty of color and style options that still provide the safety aspect to the one who needs it, while also considering aesthetics. There is no single placement or orientation that is right for everyone. Just like real estate: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION is the key for any grab bar.
Q.	What if I do a major renovation to my house, but then I get worse? Have I wasted all that money? A. Taking a longer view of your physical condition and how it may change as time passes is the best way to assure that you don’t waste any money. Working with an occupational therapist like ours will help you understand how your condition will continue to change, based on similar situations with other patients. Then you can make decisions in line with your long term goals.
Q.	I have ALS. My mobility issues are already solved but I’m having trouble with eating and drinking. Can you help? A. Yes. Our therapists are clinically trained to assess all activities of daily living and understands which products will bring the greatest benefit to the patient. We are able to research and identify the right products to address the specific challenges of a particular diagnosis.
Q.	What is universal design? A. Universal design (also called inclusive design) is the notion of designing a space that is inherently accessible to all people — people with disabilities, people without disabilities and older people. This principle renders the concept of renovation to provide accessibility obsolete. A companion notion, often called “visitability” implies the same open accessibility. “Visitability” means that your friend who walks with a walker can visit you at home easily, instead of you always having to go to see them. Changes made to homes that allow easy access to all people, regardless of physical ability, raise the value of the property to the homeowner and to future homeowners.
Q.	What does it cost to work with us? A. Here is our fee schedule. The initial telephone consultation is always free.