Transcription
Modifying Your Homefor Healthy Aging1 (800) 677-1116eldercare.acl.gov
Research shows that most olderadults want to live in their homesand communities for as long aspossible.1 Aging at home brings withit many benefits—both to older adultsand the communities in which they live.A longtime home is a place of comfortand memories—and can be a sourceof connections to family members,neighbors, friends, places of worship,community groups, familiar shops andhealth providers.However, most homes were not builtto support the mobility, sensoryand cognitive changes that oftenaccompany aging. As one ages,everyday tasks such as climbing thestairs, standing up in the shower,getting in and out of the bathtub, andreaching objects in kitchen cabinets orother places in the home can becomemore html
What are Home Modifications?Home modifications help make homes bettersuited to meet the changing needs of thepeople who live in them—and can help preventfalls, maximize independence and supportcaregiving. Home modifications range from thesimple—clearing clutter off the floor, improvinglighting or removing rugs to help preventfalls—to more complex—installing a stair lift orrenovating a bathroom to make it accessible forsomeone with mobility limitations. Making theseand other home modifications can help olderadults continue to perform daily tasks such ascooking, using the toilet and bathing.It is important to note that home modificationsdo not include repairing a roof or making otherstructural changes, but some homes may needrepairs before they can be modified to meetthe needs of the older adults who live in them.For example, a leaky pipe will need to befixed before a bathtub or shower can be madeaccessible.Many older adults who need to modify theirhomes to meet their changing needs do notknow where to turn for advice or assistance—oreven what modifications their homes may need.Fortunately, the Eldercare Locator, a publicservice of the U.S. Administration for CommunityLiving, connects older adults and caregiversacross the country to Area Agencies on Agingand other local resources that can help ensuretheir homes meet their evolving needs.Types of Home Modifications Installing grab bars near the toilet, in theshower and/or bathtub Installing handheld shower heads and/orshower seats Removing or securing rugs to the floor Adding high-contrast non-skid tape tostairs Adding handrails to both sides ofstaircases Installing non-skid flooring or low-pilecarpet Improving lighting throughout the home Installing ramps or no-step entries toassist individuals using wheelchairs,walkers, or canes Widening the width of doorways and/or hallways to accommodate assistivedevices Installing variable height countertops inthe kitchen that allow an individual to sitor stand while cookingThe above list is just a sampling of themodifications that can help older adultscontinue living in their homes as they age.It is important to understand that homemodification is a process that starts withidentifying what modifications are desiredor needed by the individuals living in thehome.
Determining What Home Modifications Are Right for YouTo help older adults and their caregivers determine which modifications are right for them, theUniversity of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology recommends using a checklistto help decide which modifications are most useful. In many cases, it can be helpful to work withan occupational therapist who can conduct a home assessment, evaluate a person’s ability to carryout tasks, identify potential hazards and recommend modifications. Depending on age and income,older adults may qualify to have an aging or home care expert provide advice and recommenda housing professional (e.g., contractor, remodeler or handyperson) to make the changes. TheEldercare Locator can connect individuals seeking home modifications to local experts who can helpwith the home modification process.Paying for Home ModificationsWhile some of the home modifications described in this brochure have little to no cost, others maybe beyond a person’s ability to pay. Fortunately, the Eldercare Locator can connect older adults andcaregivers to public and private resources that can help pay for certain home modifications.Tips for Finding a HomeModification ProviderTips for Working with aHome Modification ProviderThe following suggestions can help olderadults and caregivers find a provider to makehome modifications: Be specific about the home modificationsthat you would like to have installed. Contact the Eldercare Locator to find yourlocal Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Centerfor Independent Living (CIL) or StateAssistive Technology Act Program. Theseentities may provide or connect olderadults and caregivers to home modificationservices, referrals and financial assistancefor home modification services. Ask for a written agreement that containsdetails on the specific home modificationsbeing made. Contact a Rebuilding Together affiliatenear you. Many Rebuilding Togetheraffiliates specialize in providinghome modification services for olderhomeowners who may need financialassistance in making changes to theirhomes. To locate an affiliate near you, filiate. Ensure that the provider is trained and hasexperience in making the needed homemodifications by asking for references andchecking reviews from the Better BusinessBureau or other reputable sources. Get recommendations from friends andfamily members who have had similar workdone in their homes. If asked, provide only a small downpayment and pay the remainder oncethe work has been completed to yourexpectations.For more tips, view Home ImprovementScams: Tools to Reduce Your Risk, anEldercare Locator publication that isavailable online at eldercare.acl.gov.
Living at Home AfterModification: What’s Next?Modifying homes to meet the changing needsof older adults is not necessarily a one-timeevent. As functionality changes over time,other modifications might be helpful. In suchcases, another in-home assessment may needto be conducted.Questions to Ask Duringa Home ModificationAssessmentWhether an assessment is conducted byolder adults and caregivers themselves,an occupational therapist, or other agingprofessional, the following basic questionsshould be asked to ensure that relevantfactors are considered. Can you get into and out of the residenceeasily and safely? If the home has stairs, are there rails onboth sides of the stairs? Do you need help standing up from aseated position? Is there enough lighting in hallways andother places in the home? Can you safelynavigate the home during the night whenit is dark? Are there rugs or other items on thefloors that may cause a fall? Is there a need for supportive and safetyfeatures in the bathroom?For a more detailed list of questionsand links to other resources, ctsheets/HomeModification Resources.aspx
PUBLISHED BYEldercare Locator1 (800) 677-1116 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm ET)eldercare.acl.govLaunched in 1991, the Eldercare Locator is the only nationalinformation and referral resource to provide support to consumersacross the spectrum of issues affecting older Americans. TheLocator was established and is funded by the U.S. Administrationfor Community Living and is administered by the NationalAssociation of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a).The Eldercare Locator’s website contains helpful informationthat can help older adults and caregivers determine which homemodifications they need. Preventing Falls at Home is a brochurethat provides information on recommended steps, such as annualvision exams, that can be taken to reduce the incidence of falls inthe home. The Caregiver Corner of the Eldercare Locator’s websitecontains a host of information on resources that can supportcaregivers as they help older adults stay safe in their homes.National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)n4a.orgThe mission of n4a is to build the capacity of Area Agencies onAging and Title VI Native American aging programs so they canbetter help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignityand choices in their homes and communities.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThank you to the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontologyfor lending its expertise to the development of this brochure.The University of Southern California Leonard DavisSchool of Gerontology, Fall Prevention Center of Excellencewww.homemods.orgThe Fall Prevention Center of Excellence (FPCE), based atthe University of Southern California Leonard Davis School ofGerontology, promotes aging in place and independent livingfor persons of all ages and abilities. With support from the U.S.Administration for Community Living, it offers research, training,and technical assistance opportunities for the Aging Network. FPCEalso serves as an information clearinghouse on home modificationto equip professionals and consumers with a comprehensiveinventory of resources such as a National Directory of HomeModification and Repair Resources.This project was supported, in part, by grant number 90EEIR0001, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living,Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under governmentsponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore,necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
older adults may qualify to have an aging or home care expert provide advice and recommend a housing professional (e.g., contractor, remodeler or handyperson) to make the changes. The Eldercare Locator can connect individuals seeking home modifications to local experts who can help with the home modification process. Paying for Home Modifications
