Summary
In this office hours episode, Sue Doyle, PhD, OTR/L, dives into the second key step in getting started with home modifications: clarifying what expertise you truly need and how to intentionally build it over time. She highlights the unique value OTs bring, the advanced skills that go beyond basic safety checks, and practical ways to grow your confidence and competence in this specialty.
Questions answered in this episode:
What skills do therapists already have that transfer directly into home modifications, and what counts as “advanced” home mod expertise?
How is OT-led home assessment different from contractor-led or technician-led recommendations, and why does clinical reasoning make such a difference in outcomes?
What additional knowledge should you develop—like construction basics, standardized assessments, documentation, and staying current with new products—to confidently grow a home mods practice?
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Creators and Guests
Host
Sue Doyle PhD OTR/L
Owner of The Home Accessibility Therapist
What is The Home Accessibility Therapist Podcast?
The Home Accessibility Therapist Podcast delivers tips, training, and interviews for therapists who are changing lives at home. Each episode turns real-world home modification challenges—like falls, hoarding, and disaster preparedness—into clear, practical strategies you can use on your next visit. You’ll hear Therapist Thursday interviews, research-based blog-to-audio episodes, and “Office Hours” Q&A focused on evaluations, documentation, and funding. The podcast’s goal is to build your confidence and skills as a home accessibility therapist so your recommendations are safer, more effective, and more likely to be implemented.