Home modification and repair include adaptations to homes that can make it easier and safer to carry out activities such as bathing, cooking, and climbing stairs and alterations to the physical structure of the home to improve its overall safety and condition.
Why Are Home Modification and Repair Important?
Home modification and repair can help prevent accidents such as falls. Research suggests that one-third to one-half of home accidents can be prevented by modification and repair.
Home modification and repair can allow people to remain in their homes. Older people tend to live in older homes that often need repairs and modifications. Over 60 percent of older persons live in homes more than 20 years old. Home modification and repair can accommodate lifestyle changes and increase comfort.
How Can Home Modification and Repairs Promote Independence and Prevent Accidents?
Typical problems:
- difficulty getting in and out of the shower
- slipping in the tub or shower
- difficulty turning faucet handles/doorknobs
- access to home
- inadequate heating or ventilation
- problems climbing stairs
Possible solutions:
- install grab bars, shower seals or transfer benches
- place non-skid strips or decals in the tub or shower
- replace with lever handles
- install ramps
- install insulation, storm windows and air conditioning
- install handrails for support
Financial Assistance
Some home modification and repair programs make loans or provide services free of charge or at reduced rates for eligible older people. For more information, contact:
- Farmers Home Administration: Various grants and loans are available for rural, low-income elders.
- Local community development department: Many cities and towns use Community Development Block Grants to help citizens maintain and upgrade their homes.
- Local welfare or energy department: Two programs from the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance. Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) of the U.S. Department of Energy, provide funds to weatherize the homes of lower income people.
- Physician or health-care provider: Funds from Medicare and Medicaid are available for durable medical equipment with a doctor's prescription.
- Local Area Agency on Aging: Funds from the Older Americans Act Title III often can be used to modify and repair homes.
- Local lenders and banks: Some lenders offer home equity conversion mortgages that allow homeowners to turn the value of theft home into cash, without having to move or make regular loan payments.
Good News for Renters
The Fair Housing Act of 1988 Section 6(a) makes it illegal for landlords to refuse to let tenants make reasonable modifications to their house or apartment if the tenant is willing to pay for the changes. The law also requires new construction of dwellings with four or more units to include features such as wheelchair accessibility, reinforced walls to accommodate later installation of grab bars in bathrooms, and accessible electrical outlets and thermostats.
Where to Get Help
There are several ways to modify and repair your home. You can: 1) do it yourself, or get a friend or relative to help; 2) hire a handyman or contractor; 3) contact a home modification and repair program. Programs can be located through your:
- local Area Agency on Aging
- state Agency on Aging
- state housing finance agency
- department of public welfare
- department of community development
- senior center
- independent living center
Using a Contractor
If you need to use a contractor, make certain that the contractor is reliable. Older people are prime target for con artists and fraud. Be especially wary of door-to-door repair salespeople. Consider taking these steps:
- Get recommendations from friends who have had similar projects completed.
- Hire a licensed and bonded contractor. Be specific about the work which you want. Try to get bids from several contractors.
- Ask for references from previous customers, and check out the references. Try to see some of the contractor's completed projects.
- Insist on a written agreement, with only a small down payment. Have a trusted family member or friend read the agreement. Consider having the agreement reviewed by your lawyer if it is very complicated. Make the final payment only after the project is completed.
- Check with your local Better Business Bureau or your city/county Consumer Affairs Office regarding the contractor's reliability and performance record.
The Administration on Aging is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
