For the past decade, I have been an occupational therapist primarily serving older adults in the home and community. My background in construction has played a huge role in how I support people in tailoring their environment to meet their needs as it relates to maintaining their safety and accessibility for daily activities. I now have my contractors license again and am providing home assessments as well as doing the actual modifications to assist those who wish to continue living in their home for as long as possible. During the pandemic, I was able to support my baby boomer parents with home modification decisions that allowed my father to live out his remaining days in the home as he always desired. This experience, along with personally living in a remote area, lead to my transition to providing virtual home safety and accessibility consultations. My goal is to support people through the entire process from start to finish with assessments over zoom, with photos, videos, gathering data with lidar Technology if possible, developing a plan, locating the best contractors for the job, being the liaison between the clients and the contractors and follow up assessments. I am available for medically necessary cases in Alaska, and preparatory cases anywhere else on the planet so if you are planning for the future, feel free to reach out.
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Traveling with limited mobility requires careful planning and consideration to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. As healthcare professionals and accessible Travel planners, our team specializes …
Traveling with limit…
Traveling with limited mobility requires careful planning and consideration to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. As healthcare professionals and accessible travel planners, our team specializes in supporting individuals facing physical challenges while exploring the world. Here are 10 expert tips focused on safety, routines, and energy conservation for those traveling with physical limitations:Safety First: Prioritize safety by conducting a thorough pre-trip safety check of your mobility aids and assistive devices. Ensure they're in good working condition and make any necessary repairs o…
Traveling can be an exciting and enriching experience for individuals of all ages and abilities. However, for individuals with disabilities or age-related challenges, travel planning can be an overwhe…
Traveling can be an …
Traveling can be an exciting and enriching experience for individuals of all ages and abilities. However, for individuals with disabilities or age-related challenges, travel planning can be an overwhelming and complicated endeavor. Fortunately, occupational therapists can serve as accessibility travel planners, offering expert knowledge and guidance to improve the travel experience. In this post, we will discuss some of the many ways that occupational therapists can assist in travel planning and share specific examples for everything from finding the best deals to supporting disability with tr…
The bathroom is an essential part of any home, but for individuals with limited mobility, it can be a challenging and even dangerous space. Fortunately, with some thoughtful planning, you can create a…
The bathroom is an e…
The bathroom is an essential part of any home, but for individuals with limited mobility, it can be a challenging and even dangerous space. Fortunately, with some thoughtful planning, you can create a bathroom that is both aesthetically pleasing and safe for all users. In this post, we'll explore some of the essential bathroom features for a safe and accessible user experience, including slip resistant flooring, useful and convenient grab bars, handheld showers, barrier-free showers, heated towel racks, adequate lighting, fold-down seats in showers, bidets, and even height-adjustable wheelchai…
As we age, the need for a safe and accessible home becomes all the more pressing. Designing accessible homes not only meets the needs of older adults and people with disabilities but also offers pract…
As we age, the need …
As we age, the need for a safe and accessible home becomes all the more pressing. Designing accessible homes not only meets the needs of older adults and people with disabilities but also offers practical benefits for a wider range of homeowners and all that visit the home. To ensure that homes are conducive to Aging or living in place, it is increasingly important to work with occupational therapists and general contractors who specialize in safety and accessibility. As an OT and contractor, I thought it would be nice to start from the ground up and focus on zero step entrance homes. A zero…
In the realm of home design, longevity isn't merely about aesthetics or durability; it's about creating spaces that adapt and accommodate life's changing needs. When it comes to accessibility and visi…
In the realm of home…
In the realm of home design, longevity isn't merely about aesthetics or durability; it's about creating spaces that adapt and accommodate life's changing needs. When it comes to accessibility and visitability, overlooking crucial aspects during the design phase can lead to significant hurdles later on. Occupational therapists and specialized contractors, experts in home safety and accessibility, underscore the critical mistakes often made and emphasize why prioritizing accessibility is paramount in building homes for the future.The Experts' PerspectiveOccupational therapists and contractors sp…
Interested in traveling but don’t know where to start or how to do it safely and comfortably? As an experienced occupational therapist, I have joined a growing group of practitioners supporting peop…
Interested in travel…
Interested in traveling but don’t know where to start or how to do it safely and comfortably? As an experienced occupational therapist, I have joined a growing group of practitioners supporting people with travel plans and accommodations to make travel not only possible, but enjoyable.Below you will learn the steps we will take to assist you or your clients, followed by an explanation of how collaborating with an occupational therapist as your accessible travel planner and guide can greatly support a seamless and safe adventure:Personalized Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of…
Welcome to Safe Accessible Home, where I am dedicated to making homes safer and more accessible for everyone. I'm an occupational therapist and contractor with a passion for ensuring that people can n…
Welcome to Safe Acce…
Welcome to Safe Accessible Home, where I am dedicated to making homes safer and more accessible for everyone. I'm an occupational therapist and contractor with a passion for ensuring that people can navigate their living spaces with ease and confidence, both inside and outside their homes. In this blog, we'll dive into the world of construction strategies and design features for home building and modifications, focusing on enhancing the safety and accessibility of outdoor areas for those who live in cold climates. Whether you're building a new home or homeowner looking to create a more access…
The home is not just a place; it's a sanctuary where we seek comfort, Security, and solace. However, a cluttered living space can pose significant challenges to our safety, accessibility, mental healt…
The home is not just…
The home is not just a place; it's a sanctuary where we seek comfort, security, and solace. However, a cluttered living space can pose significant challenges to our safety, accessibility, Mental Health and wellbeing. This is especially true for individuals with mobility challenges, vision impairments, mental/cognitive issues and caregivers. As the owner of Safe Accessible Home, where I provide virtual home safety and accessibility modification assessments/consultations as an occupational therapist and contractor, I've witnessed the transformative power of decluttering and integrating universal…
Supporting stubborn, aging parents who resist change, especially when it involves modifying their home for safety and accessibility, requires a multifaceted approach that addresses their social, emoti…
Supporting stubborn,…
Supporting stubborn, aging parents who resist change, especially when it involves modifying their home for safety and accessibility, requires a multifaceted approach that addresses their social, emotional, and physical needs. Here are 15 tips to assist in this process:Social Support:1. Maintain Regular Contact: Frequent visits or phone calls help combat isolation and ensure they feel connected to their loved ones.2. Arrange Social Outings: Encourage and facilitate outings or visits with friends, neighbors, or community groups to combat loneliness.3. Family Gatherings: Organize family gathering…
Home safety and accessibility features can significantly enhance the lives of individuals as they age in the home of their choice. This is also true for those who aim to have a home that others can vi…
Home safety and acce…
Home safety and accessibility features can significantly enhance the lives of individuals as they age in the home of their choice. This is also true for those who aim to have a home that others can visit safely and effectively, also known as visitibility. Here are ten ways these modifications make a positive impact:Independence: Home modifications enable seniors to maintain their independence by reducing the need for assistance with daily tasks. Features like grab bars and handrails provide support, allowing them to navigate their homes confidently.Safety: Safety enhancements, such as non-sli…
Are you over 60 and cherish the idea of continuing to live in your beloved home as you age? You're not alone. Many individuals like you aspire to "age in place," staying in their familiar surroundings…
Are you over 60 and …
Are you over 60 and cherish the idea of continuing to live in your beloved home as you age? You're not alone. Many individuals like you aspire to "age in place," staying in their familiar surroundings, and maintaining their independence and connection to their community. I'm Ryan Salmon, and I've dedicated a decade to occupational Therapy with 20 years of construction experience. I'm also the proud owner and founder of "Safe Accessible Home." My mission is to help individuals and their families make their homes safe, stylish, and inclusive spaces for aging gracefully.Age in Place: It's About Y…
My name is Ryan Salmon, and I've spent over a decade as an occupational therapist with over two decades of construction experience, currently a licensed contractor and now specializing in aging in pla…
My name is Ryan Salm…
My name is Ryan Salmon, and I've spent over a decade as an occupational therapist with over two decades of construction experience, currently a licensed contractor and now specializing in aging in place solutions. My passion for helping individuals and their families find comfort and safety in their own homes led me to establish "Safe Accessible Home." Little did I know that my first client success story would hit so close to home, quite literally.In the early to late stages of the pandemic, I found myself living in Alaska while my parents were in Portland. The geographical distance between us…
As an occupational therapist with over a decade of experience, a licensed contractor, and the proud owner and founder of "Safe Accessible Home," my mission is clear: to help individuals and their fami…
As an occupational t…
As an occupational therapist with over a decade of experience, a licensed contractor, and the proud owner and founder of "Safe Accessible Home," my mission is clear: to help individuals and their families create a safe, accessible, and functional home that supports the aging process. I firmly believe that a well-designed home can do more than just enhance physical comfort—it can significantly impact emotional well-being and quality of life.The Emotional Journey of AgingAging is a natural and beautiful part of life's journey, but it comes with its own set of challenges. As we age, our bodies …
As we journey through life, our homes become more than just four walls; they evolve into sanctuaries of cherished memories and comforting spaces. For our elderly loved ones, the familiarity and warmth…
As we journey throug…
As we journey through life, our homes become more than just four walls; they evolve into sanctuaries of cherished memories and comforting spaces. For our elderly loved ones, the familiarity and warmth of home can make all the difference in maintaining their quality of life. As a dedicated occupational therapist with over a decade of experience, a licensed contractor, and the proud owner and founder of "Safe Accessible Home," my mission is to ensure that your elderly parents can enjoy their golden years with the utmost safety, comfort, and peace of mind. In this article, I'll share five essenti…
Each year, falls result in approximately 684,000 deaths and are the second leading cause of accidental injury death globally. Adults 60 years and older have the highest death rates from falls. Additio…
Each year, falls res…
Each year, falls result in approximately 684,000 deaths and are the second leading cause of accidental injury death globally. Adults 60 years and older have the highest death rates from falls. Additionally, 37.3 million non-fatal falls require medical attention (WHO, 2021). Falls can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, whether they result in injury or not. The fear of falling can cause older adults to reduce their participation in activities and socialization, leading to physical decline, Depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness. As patients age, factors…