Kelly Nesbitt, OTR/L, CAPS | Founder of Adaptable Abodes - Resume

Meet the Founder

Kelly Nesbitt is the founder of Adaptable Abodes, an independent home accessibility consulting practice serving Oregon, Washington, and clients virtually nationwide. Her work bridges healthcare, housing, and design, helping people create homes that support their health, independence, and changing needs throughout life.

With 27 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist, Kelly brings a deep understanding of aging, neurological, cognitive, and sensory needs, rehabilitation, and complex medical conditions. Her approach considers both the person and the floor plan: how someone moves, what matters to them, and how thoughtful design can support safety, comfort, dignity, and everyday life.

Clients work directly with Kelly, who provides independent guidance and advocacy throughout the home modification process. As a consultant, connector, and navigator, she helps people understand their options, identify trusted resources, and make informed decisions. Her work spans proactive home planning, accessibility design, remodeling, progressive health conditions, and end-of-life needs. She collaborates with individuals, families, care partners, contractors, architects, healthcare professionals, financial planners, wealth advisors, and other specialists to develop practical, personalized solutions.

As a Solo Ager, Kelly is personally invested in creative housing solutions that expand choice, connection, and flexibility. She's especially interested in home sharing, multigenerational living, adaptable floor plans, and small-footprint additions.

Over the past 19 years, Kelly has remodeled two personal homes, created a shared multigenerational living environment, and served as her own general contractor on a timber-frame tiny house and guest-suite addition. She understands home projects from both a clinical and hands-on perspective.

A first-generation Irish American raised in New England among artists, designers, and makers, Kelly is a lifelong artist and learner. She brings creativity, Yankee ingenuity, curiosity, and practical problem-solving to her work. Her background as a performance artist and red-nose clown also taught her the value of humor, human connection, and calm when navigating life's more vulnerable moments.

At the heart of Kelly’s work is a simple goal:

Helping people remain rooted in the places they love, with greater safety, independence, and possibility.

Thoughtful planning today creates greater flexibility and more choices tomorrow.

Credentials & Professional Leadership

Occupational Therapist (OTR/L): 27 years of clinical experience, with active licensure in Oregon and Washington.
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS): Specialized training in aging-in-place design and remodeling through the National Association of Home Builders.
Executive Certificate in Home Modification (ECHM): Advanced home modification education through the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Co-Chair: National Aging in Place Council, Northwest Chapter.