Pathway and Able Environments | Answers for Elders

Paul Kocharhook, Pathway Design & Construction

My name is Paul, and I’m the owner of Pathway Design & Construction. For more than two decades, I’ve had the privilege of helping homeowners transform their houses into spaces that are more beautiful, more functional, and better suited to the way they live. Along the way, I’ve learned that remodeling is about much more than new kitchens or updated bathrooms—it’s about creating homes that promote health, comfort, independence, and a better quality of life.

I’m part of this radio show because I believe homeowners deserve trustworthy information to help them make confident decisions. Our goal is to share practical advice, explore innovative products and building techniques, and discuss topics like aging in place, universal design, healthy homes, sustainability, and creating spaces that can adapt to life’s changing needs.

I also believe that the best solutions come from meaningful conversations. Through discussions with industry experts, local professionals, and homeowners, we hope to answer common questions, challenge misconceptions, and provide insights that empower you to make informed decisions about your home.

Whether you’re planning your first remodel, preparing your forever home, caring for a loved one, or simply looking for ideas to improve the place you live, we hope you’ll find valuable information and inspiration here. Thank you for joining us—we’re excited to be part of your journey toward creating a home that truly supports the life you want to live.

ABLE Environments

ABLE Environments believes finding the right home is about more than location, size, and price. It is about finding a home that works for the way you live.

We help people of all ages and abilities buy and sell homes with greater confidence. For buyers, that means helping identify homes with features that support their individual needs, whether for mobility, sensory needs, aging in place, multigenerational living, or simply planning for the future. For sellers, it means recognizing accessibility features that may add meaningful value and making sure those features are visible to the people looking for them.

ABLE Environments is also working to make accessible homes easier to find by improving how accessibility features are identified, described, and searched for throughout the real estate industry.

Our work has received both local and national recognition. ABLE Environments was named the 2025 King County, Washington Small Business of the Year, and our co-founder was named a 2026 Fair Housing Champion by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Our goal is simple: to give people more choices, greater independence, and a better opportunity to find a home that truly works for the way they live.

Barry Long, ABLE Environments

Barry Long is a nationally recognized accessibility advocate, real estate professional, educator, and speaker who has spent more than three decades working to improve opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

A wheelchair user since a motorcycle accident in 1991, Barry brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his work. As co-founder of ABLE Environments, he has helped transform how accessibility is understood within residential real estate, working to make accessibility features more consistently identified, documented, marketed, and searchable.

Barry also co-created the Accessibility Real Estate Specialist™ (ARES™) designation, which provides real estate professionals with the knowledge and tools to better serve older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and families planning for future needs.

In 2026, Barry was honored by the National Association of REALTORS® as a Fair Housing Champion for his leadership in making housing information more accessible and inclusive. His work is driven by a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to find a home that supports the way they live today and how they may want or need to live in the future.

Tom Minty, ABLE Environments

Tom Minty is a longtime Puget Sound residential real estate professional, accessibility specialist, and industry innovator who has helped pioneer the transformation of accessibility information from vague and inconsistent real estate descriptions into standardized, structured, and searchable property data.

As co-founder of ABLE Environments, Tom has spent years advancing the understanding of accessible housing and Universal Design while working to improve how accessibility features are identified, documented, marketed, and discovered. His work bridges both the consumer and industry sides of real estate, helping people find homes that better support their individual needs while providing real estate professionals with the education, standards, and tools to better serve people of all ages and abilities.

Through his work with ABLE Environments, Tom continues to advocate for a real estate industry where accessibility is not treated as a niche consideration, but as an integral part of how homes are described, searched for, and ultimately connected with the people who need them.

Our Latest Episodes

Alzheimer’s and Aging in Place: How Home Design Can Support Safety, Comfort and Independence

When a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, an important part of the care equation can sometimes be overlooked: the home itself. The physical environment can influence how easily someone moves through a home, recognizes rooms and objects, follows familiar routines and maintains independence. It can also have a major impact on the people providing care. This is the focus of a special five-part conversation on the SilverHome Radio Show with Barry Long, Tom Minty, and Paul Kocharhook. The conversation covers everything from lighting, color and texture to bathroom safety, caregiver accessibility, wayfinding, sundowning and the importance of planning before a crisis occurs.

Bathroom Safety for Seniors: A Complete Guide to Aging-in-Place Bathroom Remodeling

For many older adults, staying in the home they love is an important part of maintaining independence and quality of life. But as mobility, balance, strength or other needs change, the home may need to change, too. And one of the most important places to consider is the bathroom. Bathrooms can present a surprising number of safety challenges. Slippery surfaces, high bathtub walls, narrow doorways, poor lighting, inadequate support, electrical hazards and difficult-to-reach fixtures can all make everyday routines more challenging. Suzanne Newman talks with Paul Kocharhook about how to create safer, more accessible and more comfortable bathrooms.

DIY or Call a Pro? Aging in Place Home Projects Every Senior Should Think...

As summer arrives, many families turn their attention to home improvement projects. Adult children often visit aging parents and notice things around the house that need attention—a sticking shower door, a loose handrail, poor lighting, or a bathroom that no longer feels safe. While do-it-yourself projects can save money and provide a sense of accomplishment, some home modifications carry significant risks, especially when aging in place is the goal. In this episode, aging-in-place specialist Paul Kocharhook joins Suzanne to discuss which projects are safe to tackle yourself, and which ones should always be left to professionals.

Safe Gardening and Outdoor Living for Seniors: Aging in Place Tips for a Safer...

Aging-in-place expert Paul Kocharhook discusses practical ways seniors can continue enjoying their outdoor spaces safely. Their conversation offers valuable guidance for older adults who want to remain independent at home, as well as adult children looking to help aging parents stay safe while aging in place.

How to Make Any Home Age-Friendly | Aging in Place Expert Panel

Whether you’re planning for your own future, helping a loved one stay at home longer, or navigating mobility challenges after illness or injury, this episode offers practical insights. Learn how universal design can make homes safer and more comfortable for everyone, why planning ahead saves money and stress, and how accessibility upgrades can actually increase property value. If you want to future-proof your home and maintain independence as you age, this conversation is a must-watch. Suzanne is joined by Paul Kocharhook, President of Pathway Design + Construction, along with Tom Minty and Barry Long, founders of Able Environments.

Spring Home Safety Checklist for Seniors | Aging in Place Must-Dos

Spring is the perfect time to protect your home — especially if you’re aging in place or caring for older loved ones. Suzanne Newman and aging-in-place specialist Paul Kocharhook provide an essential spring home safety checklist. From deck inspections and slip hazards to railings, walkways, and proper drainage, they walk through practical steps to prevent falls and costly repairs before the warmer months arrive. Learn what winter weather can do to decks, concrete, pavers, and pathways — and how to address soft spots, rot, moss buildup, unstable railings, and uneven surfaces. Paul shares expert insights on safer materials, wheelchair-friendly upgrades, non-slip solutions, proper lighting, and how to create smooth transitions from indoors to outdoors.

Aging-in-Place: Long-term Top Tips

Suzanne and Paul Kocharhook share a master plan for aging in place. This episode focuses on the strategic planning mindset homeowners need to remain safe, financially secure, and comfortable in their homes as they age. From budgeting realities to long-term value, Paul explains why planning ahead is the most important step in successful aging-in-place remodeling. This conversation dives deep into financial planning, phased remodeling, and prioritization, helping families avoid costly reactive decisions. Whether you’re planning for yourself, helping aging parents, or preparing a multigenerational home, this episode provides actionable guidance on creating a phased, future-ready remodeling plan.

Aging-in-Place: Long-term, with Kids

Suzanne and aging-in-place expert Paul Kocharhook explore the rapid rise of multigenerational living and what it means for families planning to age in place. Why are more families choosing to live together? How homes need to adapt to support health, safety, and connection across generations. They focus on the health side of aging in place, including indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and fall prevention. Paul explains how environmental factors—such as drafty homes, slippery surfaces, poor lighting, and wet weather conditions—can affect seniors and caregivers alike.

Aging-in-Place: Long-term Goals

Suzanne and Paul Kocharhook continue their conversation on how a home must evolve over time to truly support aging in place. This episode explores the importance of designing and remodeling with both present and future needs in mind—so homeowners can remain safe, comfortable, and independent for as long as possible. Smart remodeling choices—such as preparing for future grab bars, selecting low-maintenance materials, and planning flexible bathroom and kitchen layouts—can prevent costly renovations later.

Aging-in-Place: Long-term Master Plan

Suzanne Newman and aging-in-place expert Paul Kocharhook ask: Is your home truly ready for aging in place? With over 90% of baby boomers wanting to remain in their homes, this episode focuses on the planning, design, and safety considerations that make long-term independence possible. They cover practical insights like evaluating stairs, split-level homes, doorway widths, bathroom layouts, and entry access. Paul explains why “master planning” your home early can prevent costly renovations later, while Suzanne highlights the real-world challenges families face when homes aren’t built with mobility, safety, and future needs in mind.

Winter Home Safety Tips for Seniors | How to Age in Place Safely

Winter can be one of the most dangerous seasons for older adults and their families, especially when it comes to staying safe at home. Suzanne and aging-in-place expert Paul Kocharhook discuss the most common winter home safety hazards—from icy walkways and poor outdoor lighting to unstable handrails, frozen pipes, power outages, and indoor fall risks. Paul offers expert guidance on simple home modifications, maintenance tips, and preventive solutions that can dramatically reduce the risk of falls, injuries, and costly emergencies. Whether you’re over 60, caring for aging parents, or planning ahead for your own future, this conversation delivers actionable advice you can use right away.

Holidays and Home Safety: Visiting Your Parents

During the holidays, many adult children find themselves visiting mom and dad’s home—and noticing things they may not have seen before. Suzanne and Paul Kocharhook discuss how adult children can use a fresh set of eyes to spot potential safety concerns without judgment, simply by observing daily routines. They explore common issues found in long-time family homes, including non-code stairways, laundry access in basements, lack of handrails, poor lighting placement, cluttered bathrooms, and unsafe shower setups. Paul shares practical examples of small, affordable fixes—such as adding grab bars, handheld shower-heads, motion-sensor lighting, remote light switches, and organizing systems—that can significantly reduce fall risks while preserving independence and dignity.

Holidays: Bathrooms Hazards to Fix Before Senior Parents Come to Visit

Suzanne and aging-in-place expert Paul Kocharhook share practical, easy-to-implement solutions to reduce bathroom hazards without requiring major renovations. Suzanne and Paul discuss common risk areas such as low toilets, slippery tubs and showers, narrow doorways, throw rugs, cluttered countertops, and poor lighting. From temporary toilet seat risers and toilet rails to non-slip surfaces, grab bar alternatives, and portable mobility solutions, this episode highlights simple fixes that can dramatically improve safety and confidence for aging guests.

Holidays: Household Fall Hazards to Fix Before Senior Parents Come to Visit

Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury for older adults—and during the holidays, the risk can increase dramatically. Suzanne and Paul Kocharhook explore the most common fall risks room by room, starting at the front entry and moving through living spaces, kitchens, and walkways. From uneven sidewalks, stairs without handrails, slippery porches, and poor lighting to throw rugs, cluttered pathways, and furniture placement, this episode helps adult children see their homes through fresh eyes.

Holidays: Home Safety Checklist When Senior Parents Come to Visit

The holidays are a time for family, celebration, and togetherness—but they can also introduce unexpected safety risks when aging parents come to visit or stay in your home. From dimmed lights and festive decorations to pets, extension cords, throw rugs, and holiday cocktails, even familiar spaces can become hazardous. Suzanne and aging-in-place specialist Paul Kocharhook walk through the most common fall risks, including cluttered pathways, uneven flooring, poor lighting, and low furniture. Paul shares real-world examples from his own family gatherings and professional experience, highlighting how small oversights—like loose rugs, pet toys, or hard-to-use doorknobs—can lead to serious injuries.

Aging in Place | For Ourselves and Our Kids

Baby Boomers are redefining retirement, with 95% wanting to age in place. Aging-in-Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, President of Pathway Design + Construction joins the Trustcasters at Answers for Elders to share more about how to keep our homes safe as we age gracefully, how to live more fluidly and easily in your home, and how to transform our homes to support us as we age without compromising aesthetics.

Questions to Ask Experts to Help Parents Age in Place

If you want to age in place, or if you have parents that want to age in place, what are the best questions you should ask an aging-in-place specialist? Aging in Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, the CEO of Pathway Design & Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to share his advice for adult children that are helping their parents to plan to stay in their homes?

Wildfire Smoke? Bad Air? How to Minimize Impact

Air quality for everyone is huge, even more so as we get older. Aging in Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, the CEO of Pathway Design & Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about air quality, this other aspect of making a home safer. He also explains what it means for an expert to be designated as an Aging in Place specialist.

Non-Slip Floors, Stairway Handrails for a Safer Home

People don't necessarily know what aging in place is, and what kind of simple changes can be most impactful to make our home safer for ourselves and for aging parents when they visit. Aging in Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, the CEO of Pathway Design & Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to share adjustments we can make to our homes, from DiY projects to more complex upgrades. Paul also talks about sustainability.

Making Your Home Safe When Aging Parents Visit

Baby Boomers are redefining retirement, and many, as long as they're able, want to keep living in their homes. Yet as they get older, one accident could change their future and shatter their dreams. So if you want to age in place, if you have parents that want to age in place, this program is for you. Paul Kocharhook, the CEO of Pathway Design & Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about keeping our home safe as we get older.