Our Process
An occupational-therapist assessment, a plan you can act on, and one company accountable for the work. Here’s what each step looks like.
Step by step
A short phone or video call — no cost, no pressure. We ask what’s prompting the call: a recent fall, an upcoming discharge, a diagnosis, or simply planning ahead. We talk through the person’s mobility, the layout of the home, who else lives there, the timeline, and the budget you have in mind. By the end you’ll know whether a full assessment makes sense or whether a few targeted changes will do.
Our licensed occupational therapist comes to the home and observes how the person actually moves through their day — entering the house, using the bathroom, getting in and out of bed, managing stairs, reaching things in the kitchen. This is different from a contractor’s measurement visit: the OT is trained to spot the risks that lead to falls and the barriers that quietly shrink someone’s independence, and to weigh current needs against what’s likely in the next few years.
Family members are welcome to be there, in person or by phone.
You receive a clear written report: what to change, why it matters, and how urgent it is — safety-critical items first, then improvements that support independence, then nice-to-haves. Where it makes sense, we give you good / better / best options so you can plan around a budget or phase the work over time.
The report is yours to keep and use however you like — with Avalon, with another contractor, or as a DIY roadmap.
If you’d like Avalon to do the work, we prepare a written proposal for the specific items you choose — clear scope, clear price, no open-ended “time and materials.” We handle permits where they’re required and coordinate any specialty equipment (stair lifts, for example).
Avalon’s own background-checked crews do the modifications — the same team behind Avalon Plumbing and Avalon Industries. Clean drop cloths, tidy daily cleanup, and communication before anything disruptive happens. We understand the client is often home while we work, and we plan around that.
We walk through every change with the client — and the occupational therapist when it’s helpful — to confirm each one works for how they actually move. We adjust bar heights and placements on the spot if needed, and we check back in after you’ve lived with the changes for a few weeks.
What the assessment looks at
A room-by-room and task-by-task review of the home and how it’s used.
- Entrances, steps, and thresholds
- Bathroom transfers — toilet, tub, shower
- Bedroom and getting in and out of bed
- Stairs, landings, and handrails
- Kitchen reach, storage, and seating
- Flooring, rugs, and trip hazards
- Lighting and switch placement
- Hallway and doorway widths
- Laundry and daily chores
- Emergency exits and communication
- Current mobility aids and how they’re used
- Anticipated needs over the next few years
What it costs
The occupational-therapist assessment is a flat fee, quoted upfront during your free consultation — you’ll know the number before you commit to anything. Modification work is quoted separately, per the scope you choose.
Most home modifications are paid for privately. Depending on the situation, some costs may be offset by long-term care insurance, VA benefits (such as HISA grants or the SAH/SHA programs), Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services waivers, or state and county aging programs. Eligibility and coverage vary and we can’t guarantee any outcome — but we provide itemized invoices and a copy of the assessment to support whatever claim you decide to file.
Good things to ask
Do I have to hire Avalon for the work after the assessment?
No. The written report is yours to keep. Many clients hire us for the modifications because it’s simpler to have one accountable company, but you’re free to use your own contractor, phase the work yourself, or do nothing right now.
How soon can you come out?
We usually schedule the free consultation within a couple of business days. Assessments are typically within one to two weeks. If you’re working around a hospital discharge, tell us — we prioritize those.
Is the assessment covered by Medicare or insurance?
Generally the assessment and modifications are private-pay. Some long-term care policies, VA programs, and Medicaid waiver programs may reimburse part of the cost, and a few counties have grant programs. We give you the documentation to file a claim, but we can’t promise what any program will approve.
Do you do small jobs, like just installing grab bars?
Yes. A couple of grab bars, a threshold ramp, or a handheld shower head is a completely reasonable reason to call. Not every project needs a full assessment — we’ll tell you honestly on the consultation call.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. All work is performed and contracted under Avalon Industries LLC, which carries full general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage and holds the applicable trade licenses. License numbers are available on request.
Can you work with our OT, physical therapist, or care manager?
Absolutely. If a therapist or discharge planner has already made recommendations, we’ll build from those. If you’d like our OT to coordinate with your care team, we’re glad to.