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

WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AGING DIVISION (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. National Family Caregiver Support Program/Older Americans Act Title III-E Program
Program Description: Wyoming’s implementation of the National Family Caregiver Support Program focuses on respite support for caregivers to have temporary breaks from responsibilities, support group connections, and needed services for caregiving support including modifying the home environment. It offers between $300-$400 in home modifications for eligible participants.
Population Served: Adults age 18 and older who are caregivers for a person age 60 or older or for someone of any age who has Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia condition. In Laramie and Sheridan Counties, support is also available for older relative caregivers, age 55 and older, raising: a) their grandchildren, b) related children age 17 or younger, or c) helping an adult age 18-59 who have a disability. The parent of an individual age 18-59 with a disability is also eligible.

2. Wyoming Home Services Program
Program Description: The Wyoming Home Services Program provides home and community based-services to help people stay in the least restrictive environment for as long as possible, such as home modification. Participants are eligible for between $300-$400 in home modification services.
Population Served: Clients must be age 18 or older, and, through an ongoing evaluation, at risk of premature institutionalization.

WYOMING STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Wyoming State Assistive Technology Resources Program (WATR)
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. The Wyoming State Assistive Technology Resources Program’s primarily provides assistive technology but also partners with a bank to offer people with disabilities the opportunity to finance home modifications to improve mobility, accessibility, or quality of life. Wyoming residents may borrow between $500 and $25,000.

WYOMING STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Wyoming Injury and Violence Prevention Program
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:

Family Caregiver Program
Cheyenne Housing Authority
Cheyenne, Wyoming
The Family Caregiver Program of the Cheyenne Housing Authority provides services to care recipients age 60 and older, and to adults ages 19-59 with a disability. Services include home modifications such as repairing stairs and installing ramps and grab bars. The program also has a loan closet which loans out medical supplies such as walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and toilet risers.

Independent Living Program
Wyoming Independent Living, Incorporated
Casper, Wyoming
The private non-profit, Wyoming Independent Living, Inc. offers the Independent Living Program, which evaluates home environments and recommends home modifications that support personal safety, mobility, and maximize independence. These services are available to consumers of any age with a disability and of any income level.

Wyoming Rapid Response Fund
Volunteers of America: Northern Rockies
Sheridan, Wyoming
The Wyoming Rapid Response Fund of Volunteers of America: Northern Rockies provides emergency assistance in six categories (loss of home, domestic abuse, avoiding homelessness, elderly and disabled health, elderly or disabled home repair, and funeral expenses) by working with local non-profits, churches and law enforcement referral partners on a case-by-case basis. Rapid Response is a one-time emergency fund for families and individuals experiencing a crisis. It was created through a partnership with a regional foundation to provide a one-time fund to help individuals move forward after experiencing an urgent need. This could include home modifications and repairs urgently required due to a health challenge.