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KELLY NESBITT
Design, Consulting, Artistry
Nesbitt Design
My name is Kelly Nesbitt. I am a Home Accessibility Consultant, Designer, and Occupational Therapist serving Portland, Oregon; Vancouver, Washington; and beyond (virtually).
I specialize in practical, affordable home modifications, remodeling, and design solutions that support aging in place. I also offer consulting on creative housing strategies like home sharing, multigenerational living, and landlord-occupied arrangements.
Partnering with trusted professionals, I ensure your home meets both your current and future needs. Consultations are available online or in person for homes in Portland and Vancouver.
Client Profile
I take a thoughtful, client-centered approach, supporting homeowners through life’s transitions. Whether you’re adjusting to an empty nest, navigating life after loss, planning for solo aging, or adapting to changing abilities, I’m here to help.
I also collaborate with families, caregivers, and professionals—like architects, builders, and housing specialists—to create thoughtful, personalized design solutions that balance safety, comfort, and style.
services, prices, reviews, full bio & portfolio below
SERVICES
Aging In Place (Zoom)
Let’s start the conversation and begin the process of future proofing your home. We will make your home safer, more comfortable, and easier to navigate as you age. As a skilled Occupational Therapist and home design expert, I provide personalized recommendations for simple updates, smart remodeling, or downsizing options tailored to your needs and budget. Let’s schedule a CALL. *ALSO available for in person presentations.
✅ Before the call, if able, please send me photos of your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, stairs or entry steps.
✅ On the call we’ll discuss practical solutions to help you (or a loved one) age in place with confidence.
✅ Adult children assisting parents are also encouraged to schedule their own consultation (or join as a family unit).
Holiday Special: Just $30 per Zoom call for Adult Children
AGING IN PLACE - PRESENTATION
Discover how to stay safe, comfortable, and independent in your home as you age. This presentation explores the benefits of aging in place, common challenges, and practical solutions—from home modifications to community support and future planning.
Details:
✅ Length: 1.5 hours (In person presentation)
✅ Format: Presentation, discussion, tea & snacks
✅ Visuals: Slide show available (if tech is provided)
Outline:
✅ What is Aging in Place? Challenges of Aging in Place. Strategies for Success. Home Modifications. Community Support Services. Planning for the Future. Q&A
About the Presenter:
Kelly Nesbitt is an Aging-in-Place specialist, Home Designer, and Occupational Therapist with 25 years of experience helping older adults live safely and comfortably at home. With a background in healthcare, home remodeling, and award-winning comedic arts, Kelly brings practical solutions, creativity, and warmth to every presentation.
✅ Please schedule a 20 minute free call HERE to see if this presentation would be a good fit for your organization.
HOME SAFETY ASSESSMENT (HOME VISIT)
I will come to your house for an in depth assessment. Together we will create a home that’s safe, functional, and tailored to your evolving needs. As a licensed Occupational Therapist and Home Accessibility Consultant, I’ll assess your space inside and out to identify hazards like tripping risks, poor lighting, or fire dangers.
We’ll focus on key areas such as stairs, bathrooms, and kitchens, with special attention to mobility, vision, or hearing challenges.
Together, we’ll develop a personalized plan of action with:
✅ Immediate fixes: Simple, low-cost adjustments for quick improvements.
✅ Mid-term upgrades: Practical modifications to enhance safety and comfort over time.
✅ Long-term goals: Larger projects or renovations planned strategically to align with your budget and priorities.
✅ Detailed Summary: You will get a written report and digital PDF to share with family and friends.
Take the first step by scheduling an intro call HERE - from there, we will set up your home visit in Portland or Vancouver.
LANDLORD-OCCUPIED DWELLING 101 (ZOOM)
Want to rent out rooms in your house or a suite in the basement? Converting your home into a landlord occupied dwelling comes with pros and cons. With opening up your home, you may need to make some structural changes, and you will need to learn the skills of landlording. I can help you transform your home into a dual-purpose property, balancing personal living space with rental opportunities. I’ll guide you through tenant screening, setting fair rules, protecting your property, and designing rooms for easy shared living. Get the tools and know-how to succeed as an ethical, confident landlord.
Multigenerational Living & Home Sharing (ZOOM)
Turn your home into a flexible space that comfortably fits more family members or can earn you some extra rental income through home sharing. Whether you’re an empty nester, going through changes, or planning for multiple generations, I’ll help create a functional, adaptable layout that respects privacy while keeping connection, maintains clear boundaries, and accommodates various ages/stages. Let’s start on Zoom.
HOME RENOVATION CONSULTING
Let COACH NESBITT teach you how to be the “quarterback” of your remodel. I’ll help plan your project, coordinate vendors, solve problems, ensure quality, and make your home accessible and functional—saving you time and money along the way.
✅ Schedule a free 20 minute call HERE to see if your project is in alingment with my skills.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN CONSULTING
I create accessible, adaptable spaces for people of all abilities. Combining medical expertise in Occupational Therapy, Home Modifications, and Placemaking, I ensure your project is functional and empowering. I collaborate with architects, designers, and contractors to balance needs and aesthetics. Key services: Task Analysis, Design Liaison, Customized Solutions, Future-Proofing.
✅ Schedule a free 20 minute call HERE to see if your project is in alingment with my skills.
CONSULTATIONS FEES
Schedule a FREE Discovery Call
If you would like to learn more, I offer a complimentary, no-obligation, free 20 minute discovery call, on Zoom. >HERE<
If you are in an adjacent field and want to network, connect, or collaborate please reach out!
$45 | 60 Minute Comprehensive Consult
Choose your service from above.
✅ One on One: A focused session tailored to your needs, complete with a customized written summary and a video recording for future reference.
✅ Flexible Access: Join from anywhere via Zoom, accommodating various time zones.
✅ Family-Friendly: Invite extended family members to participate for a collaborative experience.
Why Choose This Call? Gain expert advice and actionable insights, all from the comfort of your home. Perfect for kickstarting your project or clarifying next steps.
Book your call HERE.
HOME SAFETY ASSESSMENT
$200 | 2+ hour comprehensive assessment
✅ Preliminary Screening: 20 minute discovery call and scheduling of our 2 hour home visit
✅ In-depth Interview: Explore your goals, lifestyle, and challenges.
✅ Functional Walkthrough: Identify ways to enhance safety, accessibility, and functionality.
✅ Task Analysis: Tailored recommendations to support daily activities.
✅ Custom Report & Follow-Up: Receive an actionable plan with resources and ongoing support.
Serving: Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA.
How to Schedule: Go HERE to schedule a preliminary call.
REVIEWS
Landlord 101 Review
“I will be the first, of what will undoubtedly be many, glowing reviews.
Not only have you provided a beautiful home for me during my time as your tenant (so much so that it was hard to leave), but you have also been a wonderful thought partner as I became a homeowner myself.
And then, to top it off I got to be your first pro client as I moved toward renting property.
Seriously y’all without Kelly I would have truly been lost as I navigated my first few weeks as landlord. She got me hooked up with all the applicable form templates, guided me to resources, and informed me of regulations and factors of which I should be aware.
Right out of the gate I was thrown a significant curveball with a prospective tenant that put me in a sticky situation, and Kelly coached me through it like a f**king boss!! I felt so supported and beyond grateful for her guidance.
You have found your calling Kelly, and I am so happy for you. 🥸🦺”
- Jamie Townsend 10/2024 (person smiling on right)
Aging in Place Review
"Kelly was instrumental in helping us make design choices when building my mother's casita.
After my father passed, my husband and I decided to transition my limited mobility elderly mother to our home. Soon after, we recognized we needed our own spaces and plans for an ADU to suit her needs quickly began.
Though new building codes already mandated certain ADA accessibility requirements, we quickly recognized that we needed a more customized plan. Kelly gave us a detailed list of design requirements specific to my mother's needs, including: appropriate flooring selections, lighting considerations, floor layouts that would accommodate a future live-in caretaker, specific shower bar adaptations, design layouts that would create clear pathways, AND SO MUCH MORE.
We were able to pass this detailed list on to our architect, who was able to incorporate these accommodations into our final design. We are super grateful for her insight and guidance. Her input saved us thousands of dollars and time in what would be future renovations." - Dee Roberts - 10/2024
(ADU seen in photos, first floor is her mother’s casita apartment)
BIO
I hold a degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) and bring 25 years of clinical medical experience specializing in geriatric care. My career spans diverse roles across the full continuum of care—from hospital inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation to assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and home health. I’ve empowered thousands of individuals to achieve independence and improve their quality of life during major health and life transitions.
Over the past 17 years, I’ve applied my expertise to housing and design projects, remodeling two homes, managing new construction, and creating sustainable living solutions, including a two-story tiny house tower—all on a shoestring budget. As a solo ager and ethical landlord, I’ve provided long-term housing to friends and community members, fostering belonging and sustainability. My short- and mid-term rentals are highly rated, with a focus on thoughtful, quality design.
As a professional artist with multiple community-based awards, I bring creativity and playfulness to my design consulting. My approach is rooted in client-centered care, critical thinking, and problem-solving, with expertise in aging and disability advocacy, neurorehabilitation, care coordination, home modifications, and strategic planning.
I’m particularly passionate about creative housing solutions, environmental gerontology, aging in place, leveraging new health technologies to promote positive health outcomes - and having fun while doing it!
CERTIFICATIONS
In February 2025 I will complete my Executive Certificate in Home Modification Program (ECHM) offered by USC’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence. This course is an intensive 5-month training and interaction with peers and experts in the field of home modifications. It equips professionals with skills in home assessments, contractor selection, architectural plan review, and personalized modification strategies.
The program covers funding options, tapping into community, state, and federal resources, and building effective coalitions to raise awareness about home modifications. Students learn to market their services, conduct outreach, and navigate ethical considerations for older adults and individuals with disabilities, ensuring safe and inclusive living environments.
Certified Occupational Therapist in Oregon # 1036721
Certified Occupational Therapist in Washington # 60952325
Member Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance
Member Portland Area Rental Owners Association
Member Home and Community Therapist Network
Executive Certificate in Home Modifications - ECHM (February 2025)
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist - CAPS (February 2025)
RESUME
LINKEDIN
PORTFOLIO
BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS of my remodels & new construction
The Tower of Power.
New construction, hybrid timber frame, double decker art studio, backyard speakeasy performance space, tiny home, 10-12 footprint, 25ft eave, seasonal plumbing (sink/toilet), electric heaters, mini fridge, ceiling fan, and 50 amp panel. Portland, Maine.
Project manager; Kelly Nesbitt, Designer; Rachel Conly @ Juniper Design, Construction; Greg Gilman & company
IN-LAW SUITE
Remodel and new addition construction, 3 room, single level studio, 500 sqft.
Project manager; Kelly Nesbitt, New Addition Designer; Das Chapin Design, Construction; Mark Pendergrass & company
Referrals are appreciated
Please share my services with friends, builders, contractors, architects, designers, gerontologists, housing specialists, life care planners, senior real estate agents, property managers, elder attorneys, and relevant community organizations.
Thank you!
5 Star Mid Term Rental Review
Meet Marty.
Company mascot.
RESOURCES & EDUCATION
LISTEN TO THE “ON POINT” RADIO EPISODE ABOUT BOOMMATES
High housing costs are pushing more Americans to find roommates, including baby boomers and empty nesters. We take a look at the growing trend of intergenerational living and ask could ‘boommates’ help ease the housing crisis?
LEARN about HOMESHARE ORegon
Homeowners share their spare room. Renters have a truly affordable place to call home.
JOYFUL PLACES - WATCH TRAILER HERE
Joyful Places is a potential upcoming TV show series that follows former occupational therapists Gretchen Kingma (realtor) and Tiffany Dill (designer) as they find and renovate homes for people with disabilities and their families, a demographic set to explode as the Baby Boomer generation reaches old age.