Healthy Aging: Home Modifications for Independence

Home modifications play a crucial role in promoting healthy aging by adapting living spaces to meet changing needs, prevent falls, and enhance independence. This presentation, developed in conjunction with the 2019 Home for the Holidays campaign, highlights the importance of home modifications, types of modifications available, and guidance on choosing the right modifications with the help of occupational therapists. With a focus on creating safer and more accessible homes, these modifications aim to support older adults in living comfortably and securely as they age in place.

• Healthy Aging
• Home Modifications
• Independence
• Occupational Therapist
• Aging in Place

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1. Modifying Your Home for Healthy Aging This sample presentation is intended to assist the Aging Network as it promotes home modifications programs and resources available in communities around the country. This presentation accompanies the Eldercare Locator s Modifying Your Home for Healthy Aging brochure, which was developed as part of the 2019 Home for the Holidays campaign.

2. About the Home for the Holidays Campaign A national pubic education campaign highlighting community programs that support older adults, their families and caregivers. Timed to coordinate with the holiday season, the campaign provides tools and resources to help families discuss difficult topics.

3. About the Eldercare Locator Launched in 1991, the Eldercare Locator is the only national information and referral resource to provide support to consumers across the spectrum of issues affecting older Americans. The Locator was established and is funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). eldercare.acl.gov 1 (800) 677-1116

4. What are Home Modifications? Home modifications help make homes better suited to meet the changing needs of the people who live in them and can help prevent falls, maximize independence and support caregiving. Home modifications range from the simple clearing clutter off the floor, improving lighting or removing rugs to help prevent falls to more complex installing a stair lift or renovating a bathroom to make it accessible for someone with mobility limitations.

5. Types of Home Modifications Installing grab bars near the toilet, in the shower and/or bathtub Installing handheld shower heads and/or shower seats Removing or securing rugs to the floor Adding high-contrast non-skid tape to stairs Adding handrails to both sides of staircases Additional examples are provided in the brochure, Modifying Your Home for Healthy Aging.

6. Choosing Home Modifications That are Right for You Use a checklist to help decide which modifications are most useful. Work with an occupational therapist who can: Conduct a home assessment, Evaluate a person s ability to carry out tasks Identify potential hazards and recommend modifications.

7. Finding and Working with Home Modification Providers

8. What to Ask During a Home Modification Assessment Can you get into and out of the residence easily and safely? If the home has stairs, are there rails on both sides of the stairs? Do you need help standing up from a seated position? Is there enough lighting in hallways and other places in the home? Can you safely navigate the home during the night when it is dark? Are there rugs or other items on the floors that may cause a fall? Is there a need for supportive and safety features in the bathroom? More information: eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Resources/ LearnMoreAbout/Housing.aspx

9. Local Resources Direct people to contact your agency by adding your agency s logo and contact information here! Add additional slides as necessary to showcase your programs.

10. National Resources Eldercare Locator eldercare.acl.gov | 1 (800) 677-1116 National Association of Area Agencies on Aging n4a.org USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology homemods.org

11. About the Eldercare Locator Launched in 1991, the Eldercare Locator is the only national information and referral resource to provide support to consumers across the spectrum of issues affecting older Americans. The Locator was established and is funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). eldercare.acl.gov 1 (800) 677-1116