Your home should adapt to you—not the other way around.
When a licensed Occupational Therapist leads your home modifications, you get more than a remodel—you get professional fall-prevention strategies, safety planning, accessibility design, and personalized solutions for mobility and medical needs. Our expertise helps prevent injuries, extend independence, and save families money on future care.
Safety
From ramps to railings, we reduce risk where it matters most.
Comfort
Kitchens, baths, and living areas designed for ease.
Independence
Thoughtful upgrades keep you in control of your lifestyle.
Our Services
At Design4Independence, our services are built around one simple goal: helping you or your loved ones live safely, comfortably, and independently at home. From personalized occupational therapy assessments to expert home modifications and caregiver support, we provide practical solutions that fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re planning ahead or adapting to new challenges, our team works alongside you to create a home environment that supports health, dignity, and peace of mind.
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​At Design for Independence (D4i), communication matters—especially when safety, accessibility, and home modifications are involved. As a bilingual Occupational Therapist (Spanish and English), I work directly with families, caregivers, and contractors to ensure nothing is lost in translation.
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Here are just some of the services we provide.
OT - Led Home Assessments
A personalized walkthrough to identify risks and recommend solutions.
Our home assessments are designed to prevent falls and make daily life easier. As an Occupational Therapist, I look at the whole picture—your mobility, routines, and the way you use each space. You’ll receive personalized recommendations that improve safety and comfort, plus a clear plan for modifications that fit your needs and budget. Small changes can make a big difference, and we make the process simple from start to finish.
Entrances
Ramps, dual handrails, lighting for night safety.
We create easy, barrier-free entrances that welcome everyone. Whether it’s adding a ramp, widening the doorway, improving lighting, or installing secure handrails, our OT-guided modifications make entering the home safer and more convenient. A safer entrance means more independence, fewer fall risks, and peace of mind for families.
Kitchen Upgrades
Pull-down shelving, lever handles, sensor faucets, easy-reach storage.
​Accessible layouts and adaptive features support independence in the heart of the home, making daily tasks more comfortable.
Living Areas
Clear pathways, layered lighting, adaptive switches.
An Occupational Therapist will assess your home to create clean, open pathways, functional layered lighting, and adaptive switches—making everyday living safer and effortlessly comfortable.
Work Areas
Lower counters and ergonomic setups.
Home modifications in working areas focus on creating safe, efficient, and comfortable spaces that support productivity and independence. Whether it’s adjusting desk height, improving lighting, organizing cables, or ensuring proper seating and accessibility, these changes help prevent strain and make work tasks easier for people of all abilities. An occupational therapy–guided assessment ensures the workspace fits each person’s needs—promoting wellness, focus, and safety at home.
Bathrooms
Walk-in showers, grab bars, non-slip floors, bidets, toilet rails.
Home modifications in bathrooms aim to enhance safety, accessibility, and comfort—especially in one of the most accident-prone areas of the home. Features like walk-in showers, grab bars, non-slip flooring, handheld showerheads, and comfort-height toilets reduce fall risks and make daily routines easier. With our home assessment , these modifications are tailored to each person’s mobility, preferences, and long-term needs, ensuring a functional and dignified space for all.
Mobility Solutions
Chair lifts, platforms lifts, accessible pathways.
Mobility solutions inside the home focus on safe, easy movement through every space. This may include widened doorways, ramps, stair lifts, and clear pathways. With OT-guided planning, each solution is customized to support independence and confidence at home.
Contractor + OT Partnerships
Real teamwork ensures your modifications are both safe and practical
Working with contractors, OT partnerships, and architects ensures home modifications are safe, functional, and beautifully designed. Occupational therapists assess needs, architects contribute when structural or design changes are needed, and contractors bring the plan to life with skill and precision—creating spaces that enhance independence and quality of life.
Your Age in Place Expert​
Melba Ramírez, OTR/L – Founder of Design for Independence
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Melba Ramírez is a bilingual Occupational Therapist (OT) and ADA coordinator with over 37 years of experience and with a passion for helping adults and families create safe, functional, and beautiful homes.
As the founder of Design for Independence (D4i), she combines her clinical expertise with deep knowledge of home modifications and adaptations to support aging in place at every stage of life .
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Melba bridges cultural and language gaps, ensuring personalized care for diverse communities. With a focus on safety, accessibility, and independence, she works closely with clients and contractors to design spaces that enhance daily living while reflecting personal style.
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