Senior Corner Articles Home

The Benefits of Home Modification and
Repair for Older Adults...

(Including Assistance with Paying Utility Bills and Home Weatherization)

Home Modification and Repair includes adaptations to homes that can make it easier and safer to manage activities of daily living such as bathing, cooking, and stair climbing.

Examples include installing grab bars and transfer benches in bathrooms, and ramps and handrails for home access. Alterations to the physical structure of the home can improve its overall safety and condition.

There are several ways to get help with modifying and repairing your home. Besides doing it yourself, getting a friend or relative, or hiring a handyman, you can contact a home modification and repair company through your local Area Agency On Aging.

Still other programs for Home Modification can be found at State Housing Finance Agency, Department of Public Welfare, Department of Community Development, and Senior Center Independent Living Centers.

Recommendations from such agencies and programs are valuable to ensure reliability, proper licensure and insurance to avoid potential liabilities, and get fair prices/bids. Accessing creditable references can reduce fraud, as older people can often become prime targets. If further reassurance is needed, check with your local Better Business Bureau or your city/county Consumer Affairs Office regarding the contractor's reliability and performance record.

Another useful resource is www.homemods.com, a university-based and non-profit effort dedicated to promoting aging in place and independent living for persons of all ages and abilities. It offers training and education opportunities for professionals who wish to respond to the increasing demand for home modification services. It also serves as an information clearinghouse on home modification to equip professionals and consumers with a comprehensive inventory of resources such as a National Directory of Home Modification and Repair Resources.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Energy Assistance Section administers two federally-funded programs through subrecipient agencies. These programs are the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). CEAP provides heating and cooling home energy assistance. WAP provides weatherization services. To apply for services, you may use the links below to obtain contact information for the local agencies. You must contact the local agency to obtain an application. For energy crisis assistance, contact the CEAP program.

Home modification and repair promotes independence allowing older persons to remain in their homes. The most important purpose of home modification and repair is to help prevent accidents such as falls. Research suggests that one-third to one-half of home accidents can be prevented by home modification and repair. Older people too often live in older homes, 20 years or older, that desperately need some types of repairs and modifications. Home modification and repair can accommodate lifestyle changes along with declining abilities to also increase comfort.

Find Services | Company Profiles | Library | Events Calendar | Featured Links | About | Advertise

Elder Options of Texas
Copyright 1999-2010
All Rights Reserved.

DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites or references to products, services or publications do not imply the endorsement or approval of such websites, products, services or publications by Elder Options of Texas. The determination of the need for senior care services and the choice of a facility is an extremely important decision. Please make your own independent investigation.