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The U.S. Department of Energy offers a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP and a Weatherization Assistance Program, or WAP. Both provide financial assistance to modify homes for energy expenditure and cost reduction, which can help senior’s pocketbooks. For low-income seniors who are Medicaid, many states have a waiver specifically to make it possible for them to stay at home and not have to go into nursing homes. They will pay for renovations that modify a home to help people independently. Renovations can be very expensive, and that can be a problem for people on a fixed income, as many seniors are, but financial help to make necessary renovations is possible.
They don’t provide “items of convenience” such as stairlifts, etc. However, they can be a good source for those who only need minor assistance and for those who don’t need home repairs, but rather, slight home modifications. Depending on your specific state program, your local Department of Aging can have a range of grant programs. Many states offer free assistance to seniors who need their homes secured or repaired.
The 4 Best Home Renovations for Seniors Choosing to Age in Place
Revolving line of credit - You can withdraw the funds at any time for more flexibility. On average, about 20% of households that are qualified for LIHEAP receive benefits. When LIHEAP funds run out for the year, no more benefits can be given until Congress makes more funds available. Utilities will come out to mark the area to help you avoid damaging or being injured by underground utility lines. The timing for processing your request differs from state to state. The Lifetime Home, an interactive resource to make your home safer as you age.
In some cases, home repair emergencies can be covered by your insurance policy. So if your roof was recently damaged by a storm, your insurance may cover some – or even all – of the repairs needed. The loans are not offered by HUD itself – instead, they actually insure private lenders against loss from any loan defaults, encouraging lenders to offer this type of loan without risk to their business.
Discover Why 300+ Houston Seniors Trust Smart Home Remodeling for their Renovations.
Seniors also don’t have to move and completely redistribute their possessions and adjust to a new living environment that may not be totally comfortable. If you’re considering renovating your home to fit your own needs, or the needs of a relative, you may want to learn more about the process before making a final decision on whether it’s an appropriate option for you. Staying in your own house as you age is called “aging in place.” There are lots of reasons why this is beneficial for seniors.
Grants are also available to those 62 and older to remove a health or safety hazard. The maximum grant is $7,500 and can be combined with the maximum loan amount of $20,000 for a total of $27,500 in assistance. Based on your overall comfortability with the tasks at hand, the loans can be used for DIY projects or to pay for a contractor. Elks Club has hundreds of local chapters throughout the United States. If you are a member or are interested in becoming one, you can contact your local chapter to find out what kind of assistance you may be eligible to receive for your home modifications.
Free Home Repair Assistance for Seniors
To keep project costs affordable, there are some tips senior citizens should keep in mind. Although this program is not specific only to seniors, it assists low-income individuals, including seniors. There are also many nationwide programs that offer help to seniors in need. Grab bars and handrails give you that extra little bit of help you need, particularly when you don’t really want a person assisting you. For that matter, they would also come in quite handy near your bed, or near your seat in the living area. I’d personally say that grab bars are essential for anyone aging in place.
If you have a two story home, make sure all banisters are ultra secure. If you need to lean up against the banister to steady yourself when you walk up or down the stairs, it needs to be secure enough to hold all your weight. In addition, make sure all light switches are easily accessible in the right places to make it easy to turn on the lights. And ensure areas like the bottom and top of the stairs are well lit for good visibility. To prevent falls, try carpeting as much of the floor as possible, or opt for some type of non-slip rubber flooring tiles. Unsteadiness and a slick floor are a recipe for disaster – may as well plan ahead and limit risks wherever you can.
Install lever-style doorknobs
Oftentimes insurance policies will cover things like roof repairs, HVAC fixes and other appliance-related issues that aren’t caused by normal wear and tear. This loan is specific to veterans as a low-cost, no down payment option to renovate or repair a home to enhance its livability. Department of Veterans Affairs , this type of loan caps out at the property’s estimated value once the improvement is made. It’s worth noting that it may be a challenge to find lenders for this type of loan.
However, there are some easy tips that family members or friends can help you with no matter what, to make sure your home is accessible on a day-to-day basis. If you or a loved one is aging and beginning to experience mobility challenges, modifying your home to accommodate this transition can be quite a task. This web site and the information contained herein is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, psychological, construction or any other kind of professional advice. Seek advice from a licensed and reputable professional for any matter addressed on this website.. ©Copyright © 2022 AgeInPlace.com, Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this website's owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to AgeInPlace.com with a link to the original content.
When planning a renovation to accommodate aging in place, identify tasks that are the most difficult on a day to day basis. Perhaps even keep a “notes for the remodel” journal to record your ideas as you design your new home. You may want to consider putting in a small laundry room on the main level as well. If you’re changing any flooring materials, make sure that they are planned to not have any major thresholds or transition pieces between rooms. Any height difference in flooring materials between rooms can become a trip hazard. If you have areas of your home with different floor heights, consider using a gently sloped ramp to bridge those areas.
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