How to Find an Occupational Therapist for Grab Bar Placement
How do you find an occupational therapist to customize where your grab bars go in the bathroom? Why do you need an occupational therapist to customize grab bar placement?
Heck, what's an occupational therapist in the first place?!
I hate to start off a blog post with so many questions, but guess what? We’re going to answer all of these questions and give you tips on how to find an occupational therapist (OT) to help you with your grab bars.
If you already know what an occupational therapist is, please skip ahead and go here to read the tips on how to find an OT for grab bar placement.
If you don’t know what an OT is, keep reading or watch the video below to learn more!
What is Occupational therapy?
Occupational therapists help you get back to doing the things that occupy your time, like going to the bathroom. We enjoy helping people do what they want and need to do at home!
On behalf of all OTs, I'm just going to say that we love grab bars because we know that they help you safely and independently take care of yourself in the bathroom. Most people want to be alone to maintain their dignity when using the toilet. Grab bars are a great tool to ensure that you keep your privacy on the privy!
Are you starting to see why OTs are obsessed with making sure everyone has access to grab bars? We want to make sure that you are able to take care of yourself in the bathroom so you don’t end up in a nursing home!
Occupational therapists customize grab bar placement in the bathroom
As an OT, I'm here to let you know that my profession is very well-equipped to help people with customizing where they put grab bars in their bathroom. That's because we assess your abilities and strengths and work together with you to decide on the best grab bar placement next to your toilet and your shower.
OTs understand how important and meaningful it is for people to toilet and shower in privacy on their own. We're happy to help you set up your bathroom the best way that fits your unique needs.
It’s important to note that it’s not necessary to use the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for grab bar placement in YOUR HOME. ADA standards were created to help the majority of people in public spaces, like hospitals and libraries.
You want grab bars tailored to your needs in the bathroom! This will ensure that your bathroom is set up to optimize your safety and independence taking care of yourself.
When do I need an occupational therapist to customize grab bar placement?
There are several circumstances that can help you decide when it’s time to ask an OT to help customize your grab bar placement.
The first factor to consider is if you have a hand or arm condition that was caused by injury, illness, or wear and tear. An OT will be able to assess the strength, range of motion, and grip of the arm and hand. They’ll also be able to evaluate your movement in the bathroom to determine the type of grab bar and the grab bar location that’ll work best for you.
Secondly, if you have chronic medical conditions (e.g. COPD or heart problems), progressive medical conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s or dementia), or congenital conditions (e.g. cerebral palsy) then you’ll want an OT to help with grab bar placement. OTs are able to anticipate what your needs will look like in the future and give recommendations that will save you time and money in the long run.
Lastly, you definitely want to involve an OT if you’re a caregiver to a family member. OTs combine your loved one’s needs and your needs a caregiver to recommend the best grab bar placement. We want to make sure the grab bars are are set up for your loved one to use safely and keep you from working so hard!
If you live in a home with multiple family members who do not need assistance with bathing or toileting, you don’t necessarily need to include an OT. But of course, you can ask an OT for some feedback if you’re feeling unsure of where the grab bars should go.
Occupational therapists typically do not install grab bars
Now, the thing is, most of us OTs don't bust out a power drill and install grab bars in the bathroom.
That's what contractors are for!
OTs and contractors have very distinct skills sets. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to rely on me to properly install a grab bar into studs!
I will say that even if most OTs don’t install grab bars, we’re a very collaborative profession. We love working with contractors to make sure your bathroom is set up to accommodate your needs.
Sometimes you’ll find a rare unicorn OT provider who is also a licensed contractor. If you find an OT/contractor, hire them IMMEDIATELY! They’ll do a fabulous job installing your grab bars!
If you’re looking for a contractor to install grab bars, go here to learn tips to find the right contractor to install grab bars in your bathroom.
How do I find an occupational therapist to customize grab bar placement?
All right, all right, I've sold you on the fact that you need an OT to help customize your grab bar placement in the bathroom. So now you're wondering, how do I find an one?
Let’s move on to those tips!
1) Receiving OT services? Ask an occupational therapist to customize grab bar placement
If you’re already receiving occupational therapy services, ask your occupational therapist if they can help you with grab bar placement. This works out really well if you're seeing an OT in your home or in an outpatient setting.
You can also ask your OT for help with grab bars if you’re in a rehab setting. OTs can visit your home with you and evaluate your needs in your bathroom.
Just so you know, it’s easier for OTs to make recommendations when they’re with you in your home. In my personal experience, I NEVER assume how a person uses the bathroom based off of pictures alone. Everyone is so different in how they move around the bathroom.
2) Search the internet for an occupational therapist to customize grab bar placement
Tip number two is to go ahead and get on your computer, pull up your internet search, and type '“home modifications occupational therapy [your city and state]”.
This search will find OTs who own their own companies that will come to your home and help customize your grab bar placement. Sometimes, you’ll find companies that employ OTs who will help you with your grab bars.
Sadly, you won't find OT services like this in every city and state, but it sure doesn't hurt to see if there are any located near you.
3) Contact local programs for occupational therapy grab bar placement
The next tip is to contact your local county senior services program for recommendations to find OTs to help customize grab bar placement in the bathroom. You could also consider contacting local independent living programs or fall prevention programs. A social worker may have a list of contacts for you to reach out to!
Typically, OTs connect with these programs because we know that we can help out a lot of people who are having problems in the bathroom.
To find a local program near you, get on your computer, pull up a search engine, and type “[your county] senior services”, or “[your county] independent living program”, or “[your county] fall prevention program”. While this tip may require more time spent with research, it’ll pay off when you have grab bars in your bathroom!
4) Ask primary care provider for occupational therapist to customize grab bar placement
Lastly, ask your primary care provider for a referral for occupational therapy services for fall prevention.
Your primary care doctor or nurse practitioner will do anything to help prevent falls at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that the place at home where falls occur the most is in the bathroom. So they're more than willing to give you any kind of service that will help you figure out how to be safer in your bathroom.
Sometimes primary care offices have social workers who are able to help find local OTs who can customize grab bar placement in your home. In that case, you have a win-win situation to get the OT referral and assistance finding an OT!
Plus, if you have a doctor's or a nurse practitioner’s order, insurance is more likely to pay for those services. So it's less money coming from your wallet!
Tips recap to find an occupational therapist to customize grab bar placement
Let’s review those tips to find an OT to help with your grab bars:
If you’re already receiving OT services, ask that OT to help you.
On your computer, search “home modifications occupational therapy [your city and state]”.
Ask your local county senior services programs, independent living programs, or fall prevention programs.
Ask your primary care provider for a referral for OT services for fall prevention.
Remember, OTs help make sure grab bars go in the right spot for you! We want you to stay safe and independently take care of yourself in the bathroom.
Did we help you find an occupational therapist to customize your grab bar placement?
Are you ready to dream up your beautiful bathroom? We don’t want your bathroom to look like a nursing home! That’s why we offer a whole range of designer grab bars that can match your bathroom aesthetic! Take a look at them here!
Have you worked with an OT to customize your grab bar placement? What was it like? Tell us in the comments below!
(Pssssttttt . . . did you know we have an awesome online course for people who have a hard time wiping after using the toilet? It’s an awkward topic that you can learn how to solve in the comfort and privacy of your own home! Learn more about the course HERE!)
