When an OT Turns to Home Modification

Amy Marchant has spent more than 10 years in the occupational therapy world. As the founder of the occupational therapy provider service Liv Equipt, she has built a reputation of reliable, caring occupational therapy (OT) services for patients both in a clinic and at home.

Marchant graduated with a master’s degree in science in occupational therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, then worked as an OT for five years with the homecare company Amedisys. In the midst of her work in home health, Marchant realized how ill-equipped homes are for aging, significant illness or injury. She said it was discouraging to see her patients realize they could no longer go through certain doors, properly lift themselves into bed or the tub or even safely climb a few stairs.

This realization inspired her to bridge the gap for patients who return home from a hospital stay and find that living an independent life may be harder than they thought. She went back to school to learn more about home modification and accessibility.

“I wanted to create something that really focused on the client and how they function and what they need in their home due to those medical circumstances,” she said.

Marchant’s hard work led her to obtain the executive certificate in home modification (ECHM) from the University of Southern California as well as the CAPS designation (certified aging in place specialist) through the National Association of Home Builders. Additionally, she achieved the CHAMPS recognition (certified home accessibility and modification professional) to assist those with catastrophic injuries.

When it comes to home assessments, patients might expect larger alterations to be suggested. However, people are surprised when Marchant also recommends small modifications such as lighting. According to her, the small things can make the biggest difference in patient independence.

“As an OT, I go through everything,” Marchant said. “I interview them and try to understand the things that are giving them trouble. Anything they might be struggling with, like how they’re getting in and out of the house, how they go up and down stairs, getting out of the bathtub—we go through all of those activities and really identify where the barriers are and then we provide a solution as to how we may be able to modify the environment to make it better for everybody.”

She recently expanded her company into pediatrics, something she said was her goal from the beginning. Making assessments for children is similar to making assessments for adults in that it involves eliminating certain independence barriers that can make their lives easier. But she and her team also provide recommendations for sensory rooms and other options for children with sensory processing disorders or autism.

“Honestly, I went into OT because I wanted to work with kids, and somewhere along the way I really fell in love with working with older adults and with people in their homes,” she said. “It’s just so rewarding being able to work with someone in their home and help them break those barriers to help them improve their independence and participate in the things we often take for granted.”

Marchant frequently encounters people who don’t understand the client-centered aspects of the profession. What matters most is that every patient’s plan for OT is tailored to their individual needs, she said.

“We’re focused on how that individual functions in their daily life and trying to provide solutions specific to that client,” she said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is very tailored to what you need when you need it as well as preparing for the future.”