Hospice
Make Modifications for Care at Home
Receiving hospice care at home is simply not an option for many people unless changes are made to their existing homes. To provide a safe place in which to receive care, there are some easy and obvious changes to make — and some more drastic changes that may require professional construction help.
Of course, choosing which modifications to make and deciding whether to invest the time, expense, and disruptiveness in making the more ambitious changes will depend on a number of factors — most importantly the patient’s condition and whether it is likely to deteriorate quickly.
Making a Home Safe
There are a number of easy things to do at once to ensure a home is as free from hazards as possible — from removing scatter rugs to moving the furniture to low traffic areas of the room. There are many other changes that you can also do on your own that cost very little, such as increasing lighting levels, applying non-skid adhesive strips in bath tubs, and installing anti-scald devices on faucets and moving shelving to eye level.
For more information and a comprehensive checklist designed to help make a home safer for seniors and home care patients, see the California Department of Aging, Senior Housing Information and Support Center’s "Home Safety Checklist (PDF)."
Modifying and Remodeling
Many homes will need some modifications, from slight to substantial, to become suitable spots for aging or ailing residents. For example, a bedroom may need to be relocated to a main level of a house for those who have difficulty climbing stairs. Or hallways may need to be widened to accommodate a wheelchair. Or handrails may need to be installed on a porch or stairway to provide a steady grasp when climbing.
Because of the growing number of people who wish to age and receive care at home, now widely called “aging in place,” an industry of specialists — general contractors, designers, architects, and health care consultants — are available to assess what structural changes might need to be made and to accomplish that remodeling.
For more information, The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with its Research Center, Seniors Housing Council and with AARP, recently developed the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to address the growing number of consumers who will soon require home modifications.
CAPS providers are trained in remodeling projects and solutions to common barriers for older or frail residents. To find a CAPS in your area, go to the National Association of Home Builders Web site and choose CAPS under "Designation."
Help with Paying
A number of programs and sources provide reduced rates, loans, or free services with home modifications.
To find resources for seniors who need to repair or modify their homes or make them safer and more accessible as they age, contact the local Area Agency on Aging.
For a list of programs for home modification and repair services for seniors and adults with disabilities, see the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Lower-income seniors can get help weatherize their homes at the California Department of Community Services and Development.
For more information, see these free consumer resources from the National Aging in Place Council:
- “Modifying Your Home Environment to Promote Greater Independence: A Guide to Aging in Place”
- “Use Your Home to Stay at Home: A Guide for Homeowners Who Need Help Now”
- “Use Your Home to Stay at Home: A Planning Guide for Older Consumers”
