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Digital Seminar

Building Knowledge: Construction Basics Every Home Safety Therapist Should Know


Speaker:
Kara Welke, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, CAPS, SHSS
Duration:
1 Hour 27 Minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
Jul 01, 2025
Product Code:
POS065579
Media Type:
Digital Seminar


Description

Support function. Prevent harm. Recommend with confidence.

You know how to assess risk. You know how to modify tasks. But do you know whether a wall is load-bearing before recommending it be removed?

This eye-opening session bridges the gap between clinical recommendations and construction realities—because as a therapist, your environmental modification plans are only as good as their structural feasibility.

Designed specifically for occupational therapy professionals, this course equips you with foundational construction knowledge that elevates your home assessments from good to gold standard. Learn how to interpret framing, joists, and blocking. Discover what “16 on center” means, how to plan for grab bars in tiled walls, when a ramp won’t work, and how to collaborate with contractors so your modifications get implemented—and stick.

Whether you’re working in aging in place, neuro rehab, or post-injury recovery, this session helps you recommend safer, more cost-effective solutions that actually support ADLs, mobility, and client independence.

Credit

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.



* Credit Note - **

NOTE: Tuition includes one free CE Certificate (participant will be able to print the certificate of completion after passing the online post-test (80% passing score) and completing the evaluation). Instructional methods will include PowerPoint, didactic lecture, and others.

Continuing Education Information:  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Program content is reviewed periodically per accrediting board rules for currency and appropriateness for credit. Credit approvals are subject to change. Please note, your state licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education, as well as which credit types are acceptable for continuing education hours. Please refer to your state rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. 
For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact info@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before purchase.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession.  As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.  

For Planning Committee disclosures, please see the statement above.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.


* Credit Note - ---

Earn up to 1.25 CE hours. Please see below, for more details, as credit amounts vary by state and profession. 


Occupational Therapists - Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants

This course contains 1.25 hours of Distance Learning - Independent continuing education. It was not offered for AOTA CEUs. Please retain your certificate of completion. For state licensure or other credential renewal, contact those agencies for information about your reporting responsibilities and requirements.


Physical Therapists - Alaska Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 1.25 continuing education credit hours for Alaska Physical Therapists. The Board Rule 12 AAC 54.420 confirms acceptance of continuing education programs that are recognized by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approval agency to approve providers.


Physical Therapists - Arizona Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. The Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy recognizes continuing competence activities that have been approved by any state PT association or national medical/health care association (e.g., AOTA, ASHA). This self-study activity consists of 1.25 clock hours of instruction applicable for physical therapists.


Physical Therapists - California Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approval agency to approve providers. This self-study lecture qualifies for 1.25 continuing competency hours.


Physical Therapists - Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study course consists of 1.25 clock hours of instruction that is applicable for physical therapists. CE requirements for physical therapists vary by state/jurisdiction. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Physical Therapists - Illinois Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270. This self-study course qualifies for 1.0 CE credit hours.


Physical Therapists - Kentucky Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study course consists of 1.25 continuing education credit hours. For Kentucky licensees, according to 201 KAR 22:045, this self-study educational offering may be applied toward Category 2 continued competency requirements.  Please review the regulation to determine eligibility. 


Physical Therapists - New York Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department, State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant continuing education. This self-study course qualifies for 1.7 contact hours.


Physical Therapists - North Carolina Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation, Provider Number: 216.000270. This intermediate course is approved by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners by virtue of PESI Inc. approved provider status with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. This course qualifies for 1.0 continuing education hours.


Physical Therapists - Oklahoma Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This asynchronous activity consists of 1.25 continuing education credit hours for Oklahoma Physical Therapists. Oklahoma Administrative Code 435:20-9-3.1 confirms acceptance of continuing education programs offered by providers approved by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.


Physical Therapists - Pennsylvania Physical Therapists and Assistants

The Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy recognizes approval by all other state boards. This self-study activity consists of 1.25 clock hours of instruction that is applicable for physical therapists.


Physical Therapists - Texas Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider #2706032TX and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas. Instructional Level: Intermediate. This activity will provide 1.25 CCUs. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.


Physical Therapists - Utah Physical Therapists And Physical Therapist Assistants

This course is designed to meet the Utah DOPL Rule R156-24b-303b.2.c.iv - A commercial continuing education provider providing a course related to the practice of physical therapy. Please retain a copy of the advertising brochure and your certificate of completion to provide to your board should this be requested of you. This self-study activity consists of 1.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Physical Therapists - Vermont Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This course consists of 1.25 continuing education credit hours for Vermont Physical Therapists. The Board confirms acceptance of continuing education programs that are recognized by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.


Physical Therapists - Virginia Physical Therapists & Physical Therapy Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 1.25 hours of type 2 continued competency credit for Virginia Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants. Regulation 18VAC112-20-131, Section B, (2) states that up to ten type 2 continued competency credits can be earned by completing independent study activities related to the clinical practice of physical therapy. 


Other Professions

This self-study activity qualifies for 1.25 continuing education clock hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.



Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Kara Welke, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, CAPS, SHSS's Profile

Kara Welke, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, CAPS, SHSS Related seminars and products


Kara Welke, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, CAPS, SHSS, has had a wide variety of experiences and has worked with pediatrics through geriatrics in various settings. She even ventured away from traditional occupational therapy for a few years and had the privilege of starting an Early Head Start program from the ground up and was the director of the EHS program. Kara taught in an OTA program as well as served as the academic fieldwork coordinator for approximately 8 years. In order to provide client-centered, occupation-based, and evidence-based practice, Kara started her own Mobile Hybrid Practice to help older adults age in place in 2018. This business has grown significantly over the years, and she now has over 15 employees and contractors providing a wide array of services. Her business not only has its own client population, but they also provide services to other agencies and businesses. Due to the lack of resources for helping therapy professionals start their own business, Kara created the Next Level Occupational Therapy Facebook group. It was through this group that it became apparent that all therapy professionals needed assistance in starting their own business and that is when the Therapy Business Builder program was started. Kara has helped hundreds of therapists get to the next level in their career through her programs.


Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Kara Welke is the owner of Home Therapy Solutions, LLC and Next Level Occupational Therapy. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. Kara Welke has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Kara Welke has no relevant non-financial relationships.


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info


Objectives

  1. Apply foundational construction concepts—such as framing, joists, blocking, and wall types—to evaluate the structural feasibility and safety of proposed home modifications that enhance occupational performance and reduce environmental barriers.
  2. Differentiate between standardized guidelines (e.g., ADA, FHA) and individualized needs to determine appropriate grab bar placement and bathroom modifications that support safe and client-centered self-care routines.
  3. Assess entryways, staircases, and circulation routes within and around the home to recommend appropriate access solutions—including ramps, lifts, and stair modifications—that align with client mobility needs and promote community and home participation.
  4. Collaborate effectively with construction professionals by using shared language and practical reasoning to advocate for accessible, feasible, and functionally appropriate environmental modifications.

Outline

Foundations: Why Construction Knowledge Is a Clinical Tool

  • Connect the dots: Structural feasibility and ADL performance
  • Case examples of well-meaning recommendations gone wrong
  • Elevating your role as a safety advocate and collaborative planner

Core Construction Concepts for Occupational Performance

  • Structural lingo decoded: Studs, joists, blocking, headers, ceiling joists
  • Understanding “16 on center”: spacing, stability, and wall strength
  • Load-bearing vs. non-load-bearing: what therapists need to know
  • Planning ahead: Inside vs. outside walls, including ICF wall examples

Grab Bars: Clinical Insight Meets Structural Know-How

  • Blocking and backer boards: what supports long-term safety
  • ADA and FHA requirements—then going beyond to customize
  • Personalized placement based on client mobility, not prescriptions
  • Common errors in fiberglass/tile wall installations

Safe Entry, Real Access: Exterior Modifications that Work

  • Site grading and slope: evaluating ramp vs. lift
  • Doorway widening: what’s possible (and what’s not) in a garage wall
  • Exterior wall conversion for barrier-free design
  • Threshold transitions for mobility device access

Inside the Home: Structural Realities of Functional Modifications

  • Doorway clearance and maneuverability standards
  • Stair lifts: how to tell if the structure supports them
  • Handrail requirements: what’s code, what’s clinical

Barrier-Free Bathrooms: Optimizing Function in Tight Spaces

  • What makes a shower truly curbless—and safe
  • Turning radius, fixture spacing, and mobility device fit
  • Planning for future needs: grab bars, transfer supports, and more

Real-World Case Applications

  • Clinical reasoning meets construction barriers
  • Walk through therapist-led assessments with structural solutions
  • Advocating with confidence: Justify, document, and implement

Target Audience

  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Physical Therapists
  • Physical Therapy Assistants
  • Other Rehabilitation and Healthcare Professionals

Reviews

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