A home that is both safe and functional for enjoying everyday life activities is more important than ever. Whether you are reconsidering the benefits of a communal living environment, relocating a loved one from a hospital stay or just realizing that your living space may not be working for your changing needs, having a home that is well-suited to you is a necessity.
Every home — and every individual who lives there or comes to visit it — has a unique purpose, potential and limitations. For Kathy Kirchner, each encounter with a client offers the chance to problem-solve and to create something specific to their needs.
After an extensive career as an occupational therapist and in the disability policy arena, Kathy noted the rising numbers of person wanting to “age in place” and the burgeoning public health interest in fall prevention. Compelled by these facts, she started working in the area of home modification consultation and in 2015 founded Accessible Home Solutions, LLC, where she specializes in comprehensive home modification consultation for people who want to age in place or with health conditions, sensory or movement impairments, or cognitive disorders.
As a partner on the contractor team, Kathy gathers background and health information and is able to help clients project their long-term needs, select products best suited to their functional needs, problem-solve with builders, and supervise product installation for their optimal and safe use.
Kathy gets great personal and professional satisfaction that comes with helping clients solve complex problems.
“The biggest compliment I can receive is when someone says,
‘That is the best thing we did - it saved us money and I never would have thought of it.’”
Kathy’s understanding of disease processes and normal aging gives her the long view. “No one wants to live with endless construction projects and revisions. A truly successful project saves money and disruption over the long term.”
According to her clients, Kathy’s support reaches far beyond creative problem solving. After her husband suffered a brain injury in NY one client needed help assessing their DC home with his new physical limitations.
“The hospital could not help because we were out of state and I found Kathy to be a great resource,” said a recent client. “I was focused on other things and not able to devote the brain power to research and plan for when my loved one came home. Kathy thought of everything and then some. She understands the questions you have and has thought of the answers already. She's two steps ahead. No one else could help me with this at the time. She was invaluable”, the client continued.
With extensive experience through the DC Office on Aging Safe at Home program and Habitat for Humanity of Metro Maryland’s CAPABLE program, Kathy is able to make virtual assessments and communicate with private clients via phone, FaceTime or Zoom, and make recommendations for modifications, equipment and contractor/partners. All the while saving the client time and adhering to social-distancing recommendations.
Accessible Home Solutions - Providing personalized design of living spaces to keep loved ones safe, mobile and in their own homes.
Combining function and aesthetics.