Home Modification and Repairs for Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for State Units on Aging: This report by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and ADvancing States reports on a national survey

CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES (State Unit on Aging)

State Units on Aging (SUAs) are designated state-level agencies that develop and administer state plans that advocate for and provide assistance, including home modifications or repairs, to older residents, their families, and adults with physical disabilities. SUAs administer funds, including Older Americans Act funds, which may be used to support home modification or repair services through local Area Agencies on Aging and other state and local entities. Efforts with home modification or repairs include:

1. The Connecticut State Department of Aging and Disability Services works with bureaus within its larger Aging and Disability Department to connect older adults with low-interest loans for minor modifications like ramps, stairlifts, grab bars as well as connect older adults with agencies who provide home modifications.
2. National Family Caregiver Support Program: The Connecticut State Department of Aging and Disability Services provides National Family Caregiver Support Program supplemental services funding for home modifications through the Area Agencies on Aging.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

1. Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program
Program Description: This program provides person-centered support services, including environmental accessibility adaptation, to individuals with an acquired brain injury who are age 18 and older.
Population Served: Individuals with an acquired brain injury who are age 18 and older.

2. Home Care Program for Elders 
Program Description: This Medicaid Waiver program administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services serves adults age 65 and older who are either at risk of institutionalization or meet nursing home level of care. Services include minor home modifications.
Population Served: Clients must meet functional and financial eligibility criteria.

CONNECTICUT STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Connecticut Tech Act Project (CTTAP)
The Connecticut Tech Act Project operates out of the Department of Aging and Disability Services. The goal is to help individuals with disabilities of all ages and all disabilities, as well as family members, employers, educators and other professionals have access to Assistive Technology devices and services.

The State Assistive Technology Grant Program, funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, supports comprehensive, statewide programs in each state that improve the provision of assistive technology (often home modification-related) to individuals with disabilities of all ages.

CONNECTICUT STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Connecticut Falls Prevention Coalition
For an up to date list of all state fall prevention coalitions, visit: https://www.ncoa.org/resources/list-of-state-falls-prevention-coalitions/

1. To locate the Area Agency on Aging in your state, please contact Eldercare Locator at https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx

2. Data Brief: Building Community Capacity to Serve Older Adults: The Role of Area Agencies on Aging in Home Modifications and Repairs
This Data Brief highlights key findings from the 2019 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging on how Area Agencies on Aging are providing and funding home modification and repair activities. It was developed by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging as part of the Administration for Community Living project, “Promoting Aging in Place by Enhancing Access to Home Modifications.”

3. Featured Efforts:

Home Modification and Repair Services
Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut
North Haven, Connecticut
The Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut provides home modification and repair services to help people stay safe and independent at home. These services include minor home modifications such as installation of handrails and grab bars. Public funds are available to assist with these modifications.