Helping aging parents stay safe at home often feels overwhelming, especially when families wait until a fall or health crisis forces decisions.

In this episode, Tom Kaminski, CFP®️, is joined by occupational therapist Emilia Bourland, OTR, ECHM, to talk about how families can take a proactive approach to aging in place. Emilia explains what occupational therapy really is, how home environments impact safety and independence, and which areas of the home deserve the most attention as we age.

They also cover realistic caregiving considerations, including dementia, the limits of family caregiving, and how to think about the financial side of home modifications and long-term care. The episode wraps with a clear, four-step framework families can use to start planning now rather than reacting later.

All of the resources discussed in today’s conversation are linked below.

Resources mentioned

• CareLab Podcast
  
  
• Ask SAMIE
  Virtual occupational therapy assessments and aging-in-place support
  
  
• Rosarium Health
  Occupational therapy assessments and guidance on benefits and home modifications
  
  
• USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
  Executive Certificate of Home Modification graduate directory
  
  
• LumaLink
  Voice concierge connecting people to aging-in-place and senior support services
  
  
• What Do I Do When...An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Solving Daily Dementia Care Problems by Emilia Bourland
  This daily guide to dementia care gives practical tips and strategies for common challenges like eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, sleeping, wandering, agitation/aggression, fall prevention, and more