Seventy-six percent of households served by Rebuilding Together have a resident over the age of 65 and 51% have a resident with a disability, many of which have mobility issues that make it difficult to remain safely at home. According to AARP, nearly 90% of older adults would prefer to stay in their current home as long as possible. Yet most of the existing housing stock in the United States does not have accessibility features and are not designed to accommodate the physical and cognitive changes that come with age, including increased fall risk. Falls can be prevented, in part, by home modifications such as elevated toilets and improved lighting. Accessibility modifications such as stairway railings and bathroom grab bars have also been shown to reduce falls. Aging in place is also widely understood to be more cost-effective compared to nursing home and assisted living facilities. A private room or apartment in an assisted living facility is estimated to cost around $42,600 annually, on average –yet the median annual income of the clients Rebuilding Together serves is $16,000, well below the federal poverty threshold for a family of four ($25,100 in 2018).
Safer at Home services:
Critical home repairs that correct hazards and impact the safety of those living in or visiting the home.
Falls prevention strategies that minimize the risk of falls in and around the home.
Accessibility modifications that address changing mobility needs and enable independence around the home.
Fire prevention strategies that reduce the risk of death or injury because of fire or smoke.
Safer at Home common repairs and modifications include but are not limited to:
Installing grab bars, handrails, vertical rails
Entry and threshold ramps, low– rise steps
Repair doors
Widening doorways and passageways
Shelving/Storage
Raised toilets
Removing tripping hazards
Smoke and CO2 detector installation
Improved interior and exterior lighting.
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