Frequently Asked Questions

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The monthly cost of a retirement community can easily begin at $4,000 a month on up. An assisted living can cost $6-7,000 on up. Have paid caregivers 24/7 in your own home can be $15,000 a month and up. Medicare only pays a maximum of 100 days of care in a nursing home. Imagine how many months, or years, of paid care you could save by a $10,000 to $30,000 investment in your own comfortable home. I can also give you a plan for more immediate needs and longer term needs, so you and spread out the cost.

Solutions can be high tech and low tech. Some fixes to your home do not cost anything such as reorganizing or widening pathways. Some major renovations can be quite expensive, tens of thousands of dollars. Many significant changes can be made though for $1,000-$5,000. It all depends on the specifics of your situation. I’m proud to provide custom, sensible and attractive solutions to help you achieve the highest level of comfort and safety for you and your family.

Occupational therapists understand how a disease or a disability progresses, and what it might look like several years from now. We make recommendations that will work for you in the short- and long-term. We are not contractors looking to make money from a remodel; our goal is to create a safe and secure environment for you to continue to do what you enjoy.

There are many “non-permanent” changes that can be made to a rental including shower chairs, clamp-on type grab bars, clearing pathways, removing area rugs, etc. And many landlords are open to permanent changes too, such as stair railings and grab bars. Landlords may also be required to make “reasonable accommodations” according to the Fair Housing Act of 1988, which applies to rental properties. As always, the answers are dependent on your environment and your specific needs.

Having solid railings on both sides of the stairs is very helpful. Strategically, attractively placed, rest areas may be an option. There are also options such as stair lifts and elevators. Perhaps, rooms on the main floor can be repurposed. The best choices for you will depend on your specific environment, and your specific abilities and needs.