Aging In Place Renovations
Design and Build for the Future.
Now more than ever, families are opening their homes to their elderly relatives or needing to assist with renovations to their aging family member’s existing home. Changes in the structure of an existing home requires a fresh look at the architecture and design, as well as a knowledge of aging in place specifications for safety, mobility and more.
At Broderick Dean Construction, we believe that nothing matches the freedom and dignity that comes from the ability to maintain your friendships and community ties while living in the home you love. Incorporating universal design into your remodel today is a great way to accommodate your family’s present needs and plan for future ones.
Here are just a few of the universal design modifications available:
Main floor master suites
Expanded hallways and doorways
Tile laid beneath bathroom vanities for future vanity modification
Curbless showers with benches
Grab bars that double as towel racks
Pull-out drawers and motion activated hallway lighting
Exterior or interior lift/elevator
Slip resistant flooring and motion activated walkway lighting
Question & Answer
Universal Design & Aging In Place
Aging in Place. “Aging in place” is a popular term in current aging policy, defined as remaining living in the community, with some level of independence, rather than in residential care. How to use the AARP HomeFit Guide: An Aging in Place Remodeling Checklist As both an educational resource and a personalized tool kit, the AARP HomeFit Guide provides lessons, suggestions and practical solutions. The guide is a great resource to keep on your bookshelf or share with friends and family. Let’s get started!
A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) is someone who understands the aging-in-place home remodeling market and the technology, tools and resources that are available for seniors to age in place. Broderick Dean Construction holds a CAPS designation given by the National Association of Home Builders.
Implementing Universal Design home modifications can result in a home that you can remain in as you age and in any physical condition.
Principle 1: Equitable Use.
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use.
Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use.
Principle 4: Perceptible Information.
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error.
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort.
Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Any component of a house that can be used by everyone regardless of their level of ability or disability. Universal features are generally standard building products or features that have been placed differently, selected carefully, or omitted.
Area Agencies on Aging Funds (AAA) The Older Americans Act provides funds for the elderly that are distributed through the local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). This network of some 600 agencies has flexibility in how these funds are used. Some AAA may offer eligible seniors small grants to make home modifications and repairs.
Money Follows the Person (MFP) This is a Medicaid program designed for individuals who currently live-in nursing homes and wish to return to living at home or in the home of their family. The MFP program provides up to $45,000 for home modifications, such as widening doorways, lowering cabinets, and addition of wheelchair ramps. However, there are multiple requirements to be eligible. First and foremost, one must be an active participant in the MFP program, which means they must be on Medicaid and be living in a nursing home. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Finally, they must have authorization for the modification from the Department of Medical Assistance.
Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) This federal program via the U.S. Department of Energy provides assistance to low-income homeowners to improve their home’s weather resistance, thereby reducing their energy consumption and lowering their monthly utility bills. The program is not intended to pay for home modifications for the elderly or disabled. But some weatherization improvements overlap with disability modifications. For example, in the process of replacing doors and windows to improve insulation, the replacement materials can also be selected to improve the home’s accessibility. Narrow, drafty doorframes can be replaced with wider, wheelchair friendly ones. On average, $6,500 is spent per eligible applicant.
Veterans-Directed, Home and Community Based Services (VD-HCBS) This program is referred to as VD-HCBS for short. It is designed to help veterans that potentially require nursing home care, to remain living in their homes. To achieve that goal, the program helps pay for home modifications or environmental accessibility adaptations that enable a disabled veteran to maintain their independence.
Reverse Mortgages A reverse mortgage is a loan that seniors take against their home’s equity. Similar to a home equity loan except it differs in that it does not have to be repaid until the home is sold or the owner moves out for a period of one year. This makes a reverse mortgage a good resource for those seniors who wish to make home modifications in order to remain living in their home or “age in place.”
Tax Deductions and Credits Almost all home modifications or improvements made to accommodate aging-related disabilities can be tax deductible in some fashion. The purchasing cost of any special equipment — for example, handrails and kitchen and electrical fixtures as well as the service costs for the installation of this equipment — is tax deductible as a medical expense.
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Contact Broderick Dean today to develop creative, innovative, and value-driven design solutions for your project. Or follow this link to book a consultation.