The Complete Guide to Beautiful, Accessible Homes
Our new book empowers Canadians to create homes that support independence, dignity, and joy – without compromising on design.
When Sarah’s occupational therapist recommended home modifications after her MS diagnosis, she felt overwhelmed. Install grab bars – but where, exactly? Widen doorways – by how much, and which ones first? Create a roll-in shower – what does that actually look like, and can it still be beautiful?
The clinical assessment was excellent. The practical guidance? Hard to find.
That gap—between knowing what you need and understanding how to create it has finally been bridged.
From Recommendations to Reality
Adaptive Living: A Family-Centred Guide to Designing Accessible Homes is the comprehensive roadmap Canadian families have been asking for. Written by accessibility renovation experts who work alongside occupational therapists daily, it translates clinical recommendations into clear, actionable steps that result in homes you actually want to live in.
‘This isn’t about creating institutional spaces,’ explains Robert Hocking, co-founder and author. ‘It’s about designing homes that enhance your life through spaces that are safe, functional, and beautiful. Accessibility and aesthetics aren’t opposites; they’re partners in creating homes that support how you want to live.’
What You’ll Learn
The book provides everything families need to move from assessment to implementation with confidence:
Room-by-Room Guidance: Clear strategies for bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and entryways – with options for different mobility needs, budgets, and design preferences.
Practical Decision-Making: How to prioritise modifications, balance immediate needs with future planning, and find accessibility-competent contractors.
Navigating Funding: A comprehensive guide to Canadian tax credits, provincial programs, insurance claims, and financial assistance, making modifications more affordable than most families realise.
Condition-Specific Insights: Tailored guidance for Parkinson’s, MS, stroke recovery, arthritis, dementia, and spinal cord injuries.
Family Conversations: Strategies for discussing modifications with aging parents and navigating the emotional aspects of home adaptation.
Design That Inspires
‘The best modifications are the ones you don’t think about because they work so seamlessly,’ Hocking adds. ‘A beautifully tiled roll-in shower. A kitchen island at the perfect height for seated work. Grab bars that look like intentional design elements. That’s what accessibility should be—invisible support that lets you focus on living, not limitations.’
The book emerged from deeply personal experience. After losing his brother to a preventable fall while caring for family members with Muscular Dystrophy, co-author Randy Fontaine founded Adaptive Living to ensure families have the knowledge and support to create safe, dignified homes.
Whether you’re planning ahead, responding to a new diagnosis, supporting aging parents, or helping a loved one return home after hospitalisation, Adaptive Living provides the practical guidance to create homes that truly support the life you want to live.
For More Information: The book is available through Adaptive Living. Occupational therapists, healthcare providers, and families can request review copies at Robert.Hocking@AdaptiveLiving.
Because home should be where you live your best life—safely, comfortably, and on your own terms.
