Preparing Your Home for an Elderly Parent Returning from the Hospital: Why Occupational Therapy Matters
- Dawn Heiderscheidt OTR/L, ECHM, CAPS
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
Bringing an elderly parent home from the hospital is both a relief and a responsibility. For many middle-aged adults, this moment comes with mixed emotions: gratitude that your loved one is well enough to return home, but also concern about whether the home environment is safe and supportive for their recovery and independence.
The truth is, even minor hazards in the home can increase the risk of falls, make daily tasks harder, and ultimately impact your parent’s ability to age in place. While it can be tempting to take a “DIY” approach to home modifications, the smartest step you can take is to involve an occupational therapist (OT) in the process.
Why an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists specialize in helping people safely engage in their everyday routines. When an elderly parent returns home, an OT can perform a comprehensive safety assessment of the living space and recommend solutions tailored to your parent’s unique needs. Instead of generic fixes, they look at how your parent moves, what they need help with, and what risks the home environment might pose.
Not all occupational therapists are trained the same way in home modifications. It’s best to work with an OT who has specialized training in assessing the person, the environment, and the occupation together; without that expertise, recommendations may miss the mark.
What an OT Might Recommend
Some of the most common OT recommendations include:
Bathroom modifications: Adding grab bars, non-slip mats, handheld showerheads, or raised toilet seats to reduce fall risk.
Kitchen adjustments: Rearranging frequently used items to make them accessible without bending or reaching, or adding adaptive tools to make cooking easier.
Bedroom changes: Adjusting bed height, adding supportive rails, or improving lighting for nighttime mobility.
Fall prevention: Removing loose rugs, improving lighting in hallways and stairs, or adding mobility aids as needed.
Energy conservation strategies: Teaching your parent how to pace activities, organize their day, and use adaptive equipment to reduce strain.
The Middle-Age Balancing Act
Many middle-aged adults find themselves balancing careers, children, and caregiving. Involving an OT not only ensures your parents’ safety but also relieves some of the burden from your shoulders. You don’t have to guess what changes are necessary or worry if you’ve overlooked something important. An OT brings clinical expertise to guide you.
Steps You Can Take Today
Ask for an OT trained in Home Modifications before your parent leaves the hospital. Many discharge planners can arrange this.
Schedule a home safety assessment as soon as possible after discharge.
Follow through on recommendations; even small changes can have a big impact.
Stay proactive. As your parents’ needs evolve, periodic check-ins with an OT can help keep the home safe and supportive.
Bottom line: Preparing your home for an elderly parent’s return is about safety, dignity, peace of mind, and independence. By seeking the expertise of an occupational therapist, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your parents’ home environment truly supports their recovery and quality of life.