Slide 1:
Welcome to part 1 of our video series on Home Modifications for Older Adults and People with Disabilities.
Slide 2:
Through this series, you’ll learn:
- General information about home modifications
- How home modifications can help you or a family member have a fuller life
- And how to pay for home modifications, whether you own or rent your home
Slide 3:
This series is for:
- Older adults and people with disabilities who may need modifications to the home they own or rent,
- Advocates, family members, case managers, and property managers who can help those who need home modifications, and
- Others who want to understand more about this important subject.
Slide 4: What are Home Modifications?
Home modifications are structural changes made to a person’s home to help make daily tasks easier, reduce accidents, and support independent living. These modifications often relate specifically to a person’s health, comfort, and ability to live independently at home.
Home modifications may help people stay at home longer as they age, preventing hospitalization or nursing home care.
Slide 5:
Home Modifications may be minor in nature to make homes more accessible and livable, like installing lever door handles.
Or, they may be more major updates like installing a wheelchair ramp or roll-in shower to adapt the home to the individual’s physical limitations.
Modifications can also help a person who is hospitalized with an injury and may need structural changes made to their home to enable them to return safely.
Examples of common home modifications include
- Adding a stairlift
- Soundproofing the floor or ceiling to help with sensory issues
- Installing a stove with press buttons to help with physical limitations
Slide 6: What is NOT a Home Modification?
Home modifications do not include items that are considered durable medical equipment, such as a walker or portable commode, which you could buy in a store.
These items should be covered through your health plan or may be available through a local aging agency, senior center, or independent living center.
Other items not considered modifications include home repairs, such as roof replacement or cosmetic upgrades to your home.
Your doctor or physical therapist might recommend swimming for rehabilitation, but installing a pool and similar amenities are not considered home modifications.
Slide 7: How to Fund Home Modifications
In Massachusetts there are resources that may be available to help people fund or complete a home modification.
Some state government agencies, such as state human services, or disability and housing agencies, fund home modifications. For example, the state operated Home Modification Loan Program provides loans to homeowners and small landlords to finance necessary home modifications.
You can also contact local government agencies such as the Council on Aging, Veterans’ Agents, or community development departments to ask about resources to help with home modifications.
Slide 8: How to Find a Home Modification Program
In addition to government agencies, there are community organizations that may provide information or assistance with home modifications, such as Aging Service Access Point agencies, independent living centers, community development corporations, and many others.
Finally, your health insurance plan, primary care physician, or case manager may be able to assist in locating a resource to help with home modifications or actually paying for some renovations.
Slide 9:
Thank you for watching part one of our video series on home modifications. More information about home modifications, including how homeowners and renters can obtain and pay for them, is available at this website: www.mass.gov/info-details/home-modification-resources-0.