Innovative Building and Remodeling Solutions
for Independent Living

With the proper foresight and resources, you can plan to remain living in your own home by utilizing the services of a home modification company like Home Evolutions.

While many senior homeowners will choose to remodel their current houses, some (if finances permit) may even decide to purchase a new home that has been custom-modified for their aging-in-place needs.

This month, Elmer Shaffer of North Whitehall Township (near Allentown, Pa.), was the top bidder for an age-in-place, auction home in Schnecksville, Pa., that was built by students from the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute.

His winning bid of $344,000 made him and his wife the proud and excited owners of the one-story house that was specifically designed to accommodate people as they grow older.  For example, the new residence offers wider halls, a wheelchair accessible shower, and cabinets that are easier to reach.

Shaffer, 74, explained that it was his wife’s idea to move, and that even though he was happy about where they are living now, she was always looking to the future.

Although he noted that neither of them has any trouble climbing the stairs right now, Shaffer also concluded, “Who knows if that will be the case 10 years from now.”

Depending on your financial situation (savings, assets, etc.), you should determine exactly what types of home modifications you need, and which ones you will be able to afford.

A full-service company like Home Evolutions can help seniors and persons with disabilities through all the stages of proper assessment, planning, design, modification, building, and even the maintenance of their homes in order to allow them to continue living safely, independently, and comfortably in place.  This also includes helping you to determine the most cost-effective and cost-affordable plan of action that is right for you.

What proactive and financial steps can you take now to plan for an aging-in-place future?

With the housing market in a downward spiral, more seniors are turning towards home modifications to allow them to continue living comfortably and independently. The housing slump is also causing some home remodelers, like this Detroit company, to shift their business focus and help seniors age in place.

According to Chuck Breidenstein of Swartz Creek, a licensed NAHB instructor travelling the country certifying builders in CAPS and other programs, who is quoted in this article, “home modifications for the aging may be the fastest growing segment of the residential marketing industry.”

As baby boomers begin to age, the demand for home modifications will begin to skyrocket all over the country. The same article states that the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that 75 percent of all remodelers have experienced an increase in such work.

For my readers outside of this region, be careful when selecting a home modifications company. Some companies will convince you that they do home modifications, but like any company you are doing business with, do your homework first.

First, make sure that your contractor is licensed. If you decide to hire a contractor for modifications, check with your state’s housing commission to make sure that contractor is licensed.

Secondly, always look for companies that are Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists (CAPS), like Home Evolutions. This is a program developed by the NAHB in conjunction with AARP. The good news is that the demand for home modifications services has caused the CAPS program to elevate its standards to better help people live comfortably and independently.

And finally, check out their portfolio of work. See what they have done. Pay a visit to some of the homes they have modified to determine whether they are the right company for you to hire.

What are some other important factors to consider?

In a recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, “State told to do more to keep elderly out of nursing homes,” it was written that the commonwealth of Pennsylvania needs to do more to expand its home-based services for seniors in order to keep them out of nursing homes.

Consumers and providers are urging state Department of Aging officials to do more to help seniors remain in their own homes. This came right on the heels of a draft version of the Pennsylvania State Plan on Aging for 2008-12.

What I found a bit disappointing is that a public hearing on the plan at a local community college attracted fewer than 15 people, with only two of them commenting on the needs of the 60-and-older senior population. The two attendees who spoke were concerned that there are not enough reliable, affordable options for those who need assistance in their homes.

There may be some help available.

If you recall, in the last issue of The Forever Home, I wrote that funding is a critical factor for those who want to remain living in their homes comfortably and independently. In some states, relief can be found in long-term care insurance policies. In addition to paying for skilled care and covering assistance with the activities of daily living (what those two seniors spoke about at the hearing), long-term care insurance policies can also provide payouts for home modifications.

Long-term care insurance typically covers the cost of:

• Help for you in your home with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and cleaning;
• Community programs, such as adult day care;
• Assisted living services that are provided in a special, residential setting other than your own home (these services may include meals, health monitoring, and help with daily activities);
• Visiting nurses.

For those of you who wish to continue living comfortably and independently as you age, check with your insurance provider to determine what home services/home modifications they will pay for.

What concerns do you have about aging and living independently?

Well, I’ve finally entered the blog realm! In addition to our quarterly newsletter, I hope that this will serve as an invaluable communications vehicle between me and you (my valued customers), and other readers interested in learning more about customized living solutions that help seniors and persons with disabilities remain living in their homes comfortably and independently.

On a weekly basis, I plan to update you on what’s happening here at Home Evolutions, inform you about exciting developments within the industry, and share my commentary on the latest news, trends, research and technologies within the disability and Aging-in-Place movements.

Like the newsletter, I want to offer you insightful information, valuable advice and helpful tips to assist you to Age-in-Place comfortably and independently. This is our way of staying connected with those who want to be informed about the industry in which we work.

I hope to bring much value to the Aging-in-Movement conversation, and I encourage you to comment on my weekly posts. You are the ones who will ultimately determine the success of this blog. Your ideas and feedback are very important as we build this blog together!

Additionally, if you have a great story, a great project outcome, or any other piece of useful advice that you think our readers would enjoy, please email me at hburns@homeevolutions.com and I’ll add it to the blog.