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

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT ON AGING (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. Program(s) with home modification or repairs include:

1. Area Agencies on Aging
Three of 13 Planning Service Areas within the state have home modification services available. The maximum per person for modifications is $500.

2. Illinois Family Caregiver Support Program 
Program Description: The Family Caregiver Support Program helps link and provide services to support family caregivers, including home modifications.
Population Served: Caregivers (family members or friends) who provide day-to-day assistance to older adults.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES: MEDICAID WAIVERS
Program Description: These Medicaid Waivers provide a variety of services, including home accessibility modifications, to support individuals at-risk of institutionalization:

1. Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Population Served: Adults age 18 and older on Medicaid with a developmental disability not in need of 24-hour nursing care but eligible for an institutional level of care.

2. Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Children that are Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent 
Population Served: Individuals under the age of 21 with a severe physical illness or disability that requires a hospital or skilled nursing level of care without the support of the services provided under the waiver.

3. Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Persons with HIV or AIDS
Population Served: Persons of any age on Medicaid who are diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and are at risk of placement in a nursing facility.

4. Persons with a Brain Injury
Population Served: Persons with brain injuries of any age on Medicaid who have functional limitations related to a brain injury.

5. Persons with Disabilities
Population Served: Individuals on Medicaid from the ages of 0-59 years with severe physical disabilities which are expected to last for 12 months or for the duration of life.

6. Support Waiver for Children and Young Adult with Developmental Disabilities 
Population Served: Children and young adults with developmental disabilities ages 3-21 who live at home with their families and are at risk of placement in an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with developmental disabilities.

ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

1. The Accessible Housing Demonstration Grant Program
Program Description: This grant program allows the Illinois Housing Development Authority to make up to $5,000 grants to qualified builders to encourage the building of Single Family Residences that are accessible to people with disabilities. Standards include: 1) zero-step entrance; 2) 36-inch-wide entrance doors; 3) interior doors with at least 32 inches of clearance space; 4) accessible placement of outlets and light switches; and 5) bathrooms that facilitate the installation of grab bars.
Population Served: People with disabilities.

2. The Home Accessibility Program (HAP)
Program Description: HAP provides funding to units of local government and non-profit organizations throughout Illinois to provide home accessibility grants to residents. These grants for older adults and people with disabilities are designed to help people stay in their homes and prevent premature or unnecessary institutionalization. Funds are not provided directly to homeowners.
Population Served: Older adults and people with disabilities.

3. The Single-Family Rehabilitation (SFR) Program
Program Description: The Single-Family Rehabilitation Program provides funding to units of local government and non-profit organizations to help homeowners make necessary repairs. Funds are not directly provided to homeowners.
Population Served: Homeowners with homes in need of repairs.

ILLINOIS STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

The State of Illinois Assistive Technology Program
The Illinois Assistive Technology Program, a non-profit, offers a Home Modification Loan Program https://iatpatloans.org/ of up to $5,000 for modifications that allow qualifying Illinois residents with disabilities to live more independently. Home modifications can include ramps, roll-in showers, stair-lifts, and door openers.
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.

ILLINOIS STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Illinois Fall Prevention Coalition

Contact Elizabeth Peterson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Department of Occupational Therapy University of Illinois at Chicago; [email protected]

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

Minor Home Modification Program
Egyptian Area Agency on Aging
Carterville, Illinois
This Minor Home Modification Program of the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging provides house repairs to allow older adults to remain safely and independently in their home. Minor home modifications include wheelchair ramps, bedside commode, tub or shower seat, door knob device, lever type faucets, and grab bars in the bathroom.

Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (SARFS)
Chicago Department of Planning and Development
Chicago, Illinois
The Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors program provides safety, security and accessibility improvements that help seniors to remain in their homes. The minor repairs include installation of grab bars, changing lever faucets, door repairs, and wheelchair ramps. The program is for Chicago residents 60 years and older who earn no more than 80% of the area’s median income.