HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AGING IN PLACE PROGRAM
Across the USA.
Program Description
“For some people, the combination of physical challenges and a fixed income in the face of costly repairs can force them to move. Deferred but critical home projects often snowball into larger, more expensive issues that can threaten residents’ health, safety and even their homeownership through repeated code violations.”
“Prior to the ramp’s installation, the couple had largely resigned themselves to the danger their steps presented. ‘We were expecting the steps to just fall through at any moment,’ says Teresa. ‘And because we weren’t in a spot either physically or financially to fix it, we felt like we had no way of stopping it from happening.”
“ ‘Too many people in our country today, including seniors, do not have the foundation of a stable, safe and affordable home, which is forcing them to sacrifice necessities like food and health care just to keep a roof over their heads,’ says Eileen Fitzgerald, head of housing affordability philanthropy with the Wells Fargo Foundation. That’s why we supported the work of CAPABLE and continue to collaborate with Habitat for Humanity to uncover housing affordability solutions that can enable seniors to age in place.”
-habitat.org
The Habitat for Humanity Aging in Place Program provides free home safety assessments, repair assistance and modifications for seniors to prevent older adults from injuries, falls, or accidents and from having to move out of their homes and into a senior care or assisted living facility.
Habitat for Humanity conducts individualized whole person safety needs assessments addressing activities of daily living by a health care or social services partner, in addition to evaluating potential critical interior and exterior home renovations.
A home repair evaluation is conducted by a construction specialist from Habitat for Humanity and a functional survey is completed in coordination with a local human services professional.
Senior homeowners will have the opportunity to discuss their daily routine and lifestyle with professionals and how their home may be modified for ease of use and safety.
Home modification solutions to make life easier for seniors living at home may include:
- Widening hallways.
- Installing grab bars in the bathroom.
- Building a free ramp.
- Electrical outlet safety.
- Replacing flooring.
- Armchair lift.
- Easy to use doorknob installation.
- Cleaning gutters.
- House painting.
- Installing an accessible toilet.
- Installing a low-profile bathtub.
- Replacing cabinets.
Areas of concern which may be assessed include activities of daily living such as:
-Bathing and dressing.
-Sleeping.
-Meal preparation and eating.
-Home cleaning.
-Outdoor Maintenance.
-Transportation.
-Errands.
-Bill Payments.
-Medication management.
In addition to providing home repair assistance for seniors, the program also connects older adults with social services to address age-related issues such as health, senior isolation, hunger and transportation issues.
Habitat for Humanity works with partners to provide adequate senior housing, advocates for affordable housing with the mission of building homes, communities dignity and hope.
source: habitat.org
Senior Housing
Home Modification, Home Repair Assistance, Design for Aging in Place
WATCH VIDEO ON FREE HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS |
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