More Boomers Want to Age in Place

Boomers are not interested in moving to traditional retirement communities. Many Boomers who have invested in their homes do not want to move just because they are older. Certified Aging in Place Specialists and reverse mortgages make home modifications easier for consumers.

Today older adults have more long term housing choices. Instead of entering a long term care facility, many older homeowners are investing in home modifications. This is an especially appealing idea for Boomers who rather live in their homes. A recent study conducted by AARP found that although the majority of Boomers want to age in place they are not sure where to find specialists who can modify their homes. This is the reason the AARP and the National Association of Home Builders created the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) program.

Boomers who need home modifications can hire a CAP specialist and be assured that their contractors are knowledgeable about the needs of aging clients. The CAPS process involves completing three courses: 1) Working with and Marketing to Older Adults 2) Home Modifications 3) Introduction to Business Management. Once a person receives the certification he or she must take continuing education courses. The program is beneficial for those that want to include the often missed aging population to their client base. Boomers will be more confident about hiring a CAP specialist for their home modifications.

Robert Bell of Bell’s Marketing in Duluth, Georgia is a CAP specialist and has helped Arrowhead Builders Association develop their first CAPS program. Bell believes that the key to being a successful CAP specialist is to have the knowledge of a good businessperson. Since many Boomers may be opposed to some modifications a CAP specialist must have good marketing skills.

Modifications in the homes of Boomers will increase once they reach 62. This is age that homeowners can apply for reverse mortgages. Using a reverse mortgage is one way to pay for necessary home modifications that will allow for aging in place. Homeowners retain ownership while using the equity of their homes to pay for necessary home modifications and other expenses.

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The Irish government’s Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme pays for home modifications and other house repairs for older adults who cannot afford them… [Full Story]

Sometimes minor home repairs can mean the difference in whether an older adult can age in place or have to move into a facility. The Irish government approved a budget of 11 million euros for this year’s Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme. This program funds different repair projects in the homes of older adults so they can age in place.

The Housing Minister Noel Ahern said they continue to fund the program because it has been an extremely successful program for older homeowners. To be eligible for repair funds residents must be 65 and older. Also they must live by themselves or with another older adult. They must also be physically and/or financially unable to complete the repairs themselves.

Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme has seen a rapid increase in the number of projects each year. During 2002-2003 there were 9,168 homes that were repaired. The Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme program was originally started in 1982. Since the program has been in existence 56,000 projects have been completed in the homes of older adults.

For more information about the program, click here.

Source: Ireland Online, “Plans to repair homes of the elderly unveiled” (January 19, 2005)

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The Virginia Housing Development Authority and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities have developed a new website to provide information on accessible housing. AccessVirginia is the new address for Virginia’s Accessible Housing Resource website. The site was developed because residents with disabilities did not know how to locate accessible housing. Since many homes for sale or rent did not specifically target buyers with disabilities, the properties would remain empty. Access Virginia hopes that this new website will prevent these vacancies.

An issue potential residents of accessible housing consider is integration into the community. Some buyers may not specifically look for accessible complexes because they do not want to be separate from the rest of the community. Another concern is that some “accessible” complexes are not truly accessible. For a home to really be accessible it must meet all the needs of that individual. People with different disabilities will need different amenities and modifications. There are special considerations that are necessary for someone who is visually impaired as opposed to someone who is a wheelchair user. Lastly transportation options could pose problems for some buyers. If there is no accessible public transportation this would be a problem for residents who do not have access to a car.

The AccessVirginia website links to the National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse website. Consumers can locate accessible complexes in their area. The listing not only gives basic information but also describes which modifications and amenities are available in the units.

For more information: http://www.accessva.org/

Source: Cynthia Pegram, “Online site lists housing for disabled” (December 17, 2004)

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Local Philadelphia Organization Helps Seniors Age in Place

The Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities Project (JFCS NORC) provides necessary services to older adults so they can age in place.

The Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities Project (JFCS NORC) is geared towards helping Philadelphians age in place. A NORC is a result of older adults remaining in a community while most of the younger adults and children move to other locations where they can find employment. Older adults do not want to leave their homes and communities that they have lived in for several decades. Some older adults may have to move to a long term care facility because they cannot age in place if they do not receive outside resources.

The goal of the JFCS NORC project is to help older adults remain independent as long as possible. Lenore Wasserman Scola is the director of JFCS' Services for Older Persons Department which arranges services for each older adult based on their individual needs. Some of the services available include transportation to events and appointments, exercise programs, counseling, in home chore work and preventive health care. The JFCS of Greater Philadelphia also holds several monthly informational lunch sessions for older adults.

The JFCS NORC of Greater Philadelphia is one of the 41 other NORC nationwide projects funded by the Administration on Aging. This year Philadelphia will also be the site of the yearly American Society on Aging Conference March 10-13, 2005.

Source: “JFCS Pioneers Project to Help Older Adults Age in Place”, U.S. Newswire, ( March 7, 2005) http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=4395

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U.S. Department of Justice Settles House Discrimination Case in Idaho

The U.S. Department of Justice has settled its most recent Fair Housing violation case with an Idaho housing complex.

The Columbia Village Apartments in Boise, Idaho was sued for not having facilities that were accessible for residents with disabilities. As part of the settlement the Columbia Village Apartments will have to remodel the complex’s facilities. Some of the changes will include more ramps for persons with wheelchairs, remodeling the sidewalks and parking lots and modifying community areas. The apartments will also need to have wider hallways and zero entrance thresholds.

The Columbia Village Apartments must also pay $42,000 in damages to the current defendants and also put aside $40,000 for other residents that may come forward at a later time. For information about this particular case follow the link below.

Source: “Housing Discrimination Case Settled against Developers of Boise, Idaho Apartment Complex”, USDOJ.Gov, ( March 7, 2005) http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2005/March/05_crt_104.htm

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Home Modifications Used in Assisted Living Apartments

Home modifications are still important for older adults who move into long term care facilities.

Chapel House is an assisted living complex in Louisville, Kentucky that was given a federal grant to remodel their units. The aging residents were not ready to move to another facility so they advocated for modifications to their current complex. The staff wanted to make sure that the changes would help the residents remain independent.

Thirteen of 26 apartments at Chapel House were converted into units that are available for persons with disabilities. Some of the remodeling included changing baths to walk-in showers. The units also do not include carpets. The kitchens have lowered countertops and cabinetry for older adults who use wheelchairs or want to sit while they work in the kitchen.

Other changes to Chapel House included installing a new elevator and creating another community area for residents. The new communication systems in the units include an intercom so staff can communicate directly with residents if necessary. Residents can also pay extra for some in home care services.

Source: Sheryl Edelen, “Apartment Eases Life for Seniors”, The Courier-Journal, ( February 11, 2005), http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200550211046.

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