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10/30/2026

After a stroke or with conditions like dementia, prolonged immobility can cause muscles to remain in a shortened position, increasing the risk of contractures. Stretching once a day may not be enough when a limb remains in the same position for most of the day.

Dr. Brandy Archie explains why incorporating small amounts of range-of-motion activity throughout the day can help address prolonged immobility. Connecting movement to established daily routines can make consistent practice more manageable for clients with limited mobility.

For occupational therapists, identifying opportunities to integrate movement into meaningful daily activities can support carryover beyond treatment sessions. Individualized routines can help clients maintain available range of motion and promote participation in everyday tasks.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

10/28/2026

Contracture prevention involves more than stretching—it also requires attention to positioning. Dr. Brandy Archie explains how maintaining a more open, supported hand position can help prevent muscles from remaining shortened for prolonged periods.

When movement is limited, sustained positioning can contribute to increasing muscle tightness and reduced range of motion. Appropriate positioning strategies can help address this concern while supporting the client's comfort and functional potential.

Occupational therapists play an important role in assessing movement limitations, developing individualized positioning strategies, and adapting interventions to support safety, independence, and participation in daily activities.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

10/23/2026

Narrow doorways can limit a client's ability to maneuver a wheelchair or walker, creating barriers to independence in everyday activities. A home accessibility assessment can help identify practical solutions that improve mobility without major construction.

Dr. Brandy Archie shares two options to consider: removing the door to gain approximately 1.5–2 inches of clearance, or installing offset hinges that allow the door to swing clear of the doorway opening. A curtain can provide privacy when the door is removed, while offset hinges preserve the option of closing the door.

When considering offset hinges, check the existing hinge recess to ensure the new hardware matches its shape, whether the corners are square or rounded. A proper fit can help avoid additional woodworking and simplify installation. Also assess the available clearance between the door and the perpendicular wall to ensure the door can swing open fully.

Matching environmental modifications to a client's mobility needs and home layout can improve accessibility, support functional independence, and make daily routines easier to manage.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

10/21/2026

Narrow doorways can create significant barriers to mobility, limiting a client's ability to navigate their home and participate independently in everyday activities. Sometimes, improving access doesn't require expensive renovations.

Dr. Brandy Archie shares a simple modification: removing part of the door stop, the narrow strip of wood inside the door frame that prevents the door from swinging through. Carefully removing the section that interferes with a wheelchair or walker may provide up to an inch of additional clearance on each side.

During a home accessibility assessment, identifying these small environmental barriers can reveal opportunities to improve mobility and functional independence. This modification requires a saw and precise work to avoid damaging the door frame. The latch area must remain intact so the door can still close and lock properly.

Effective environmental modifications don't always require major construction. Small, targeted changes can help clients access their homes more easily and participate more fully in daily life.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

10/15/2026

When it comes to low vision, adding more light can help—but where that light goes matters.

Dr. Brandy Archie explains that light should shine onto the task, not directly into your eyes. Task lighting can make reading, cooking, and other everyday activities easier to see, while glare coming toward your eyes can actually make it harder to see clearly.

And you don’t necessarily need a low vision diagnosis to benefit. Changes in vision from aging or conditions like cataracts may also make better lighting especially helpful.

Sometimes, improving the placement of the light you already have can make a big difference.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

10/12/2026

Older eyes and eyes affected by certain conditions often need substantially more light to see clearly. But that doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your home.

One of the simplest changes is improving the lighting where you actually do tasks. Instead of relying on one dim overhead fixture, try adding task lighting or switching to a 5,000 Kelvin daylight bulb.

From reading to cooking and other everyday activities, the right lighting can make things easier to see and navigate. And sometimes, a small change can make a big difference.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

10/08/2026

Most of us know who to call when we break a leg—but what happens when you suddenly become a caregiver?

The Caregiver Action Network’s Caregiver Help Desk is a resource for family caregivers who need information, support, and help navigating the challenges of caregiving. Whether you’re just getting started or feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

📞 Call the Caregiver Action Network at 855-227-3640 to get connected to resources and support for your caregiving journey.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

10/07/2026

Finding the right occupational therapist can make a big difference when you’re helping an older adult parent or grandparent.

On AskSAMIE.com, you can use the Find an OT feature to search for an occupational therapist based on their specialty and type of practice. That means you can find someone who works with older adults and caregivers—not just an OT who specializes in pediatrics or another area.

Whether you need help with aging in place, home safety, mobility, or everyday activities, finding an OT with the right experience can help you get the support you need.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

10/02/2026

If you’re on Medicaid and need accessibility changes like a roll-in shower, grab bars, or widened doorways, you may be able to get help through your state’s HCBS Waiver program.

Not every Medicaid recipient is automatically enrolled in a waiver, and rules and funding limits vary by state.

When contacting your state Medicaid agency or Area Agency on Aging, ask specifically about the “HCBS Waiver Environmental Accessibility Adaptations Program.”

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well. TheresAnOTForThat

09/20/2026

Coming Home After a Stroke? Don’t Forget Medication Management 💊

A hospital stay can mean medications are added, removed, or changed. Before settling back into a routine, take time to review what medications came home with you and make sure you have a clear plan for taking them as prescribed.

Especially when medications like blood thinners or aspirin are involved, having a reliable medication management routine can make a big difference.

🎧 Follow There’s an OT for That! for more practical, expert-backed guidance on everyday challenges, accessibility, aging, caregiving, and living well.

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