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

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY (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. Specific program(s) with home modification or repairs include:

Family Caregiver Support Program 
Program Description: The Arizona Family Caregiver Support Program provides direct services to caregivers, including counseling, respite care, and supplemental services that complement care provided by caregivers. This includes home modifications, which can be reimbursed 50% for home modifications, and assistive care technology up to $1,000 for one or more care recipients.
Population Served: The qualified family member must be 18 years or older and require help with one or more activities of daily living. Funding is limited and is distributed on a first come first served basis.

ARIZONA HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT SYSTEM

Arizona Long Term Care System
Program Description: The Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) acts as health insurance for individuals who are age 65 or older, or who have a disability, and who require nursing facility level of care. Services may be provided in an institution or in a home or community-based setting. Individuals eligible for ALTCS may receive home modifications that remove barriers to increase independence in the homes. This service covers only modifications to an existing structure and not adding on to the home. Modifications can be made to individuals’ or family-owned homes where the person with a disability resides. If the home is rented, the owner must give written consent to modify the home. The owner may require that the renter restore the premises to the condition that existed prior to the modification.
Population Served: Eligible individuals include those who are age 65 or older, or who have a disability, and who require nursing facility level of care.

ARIZONA STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)
AzTAP assists persons with disabilities of all types and ages as well as family members, service providers, employers and the general public to become better educated about the value and use of assistive technology. 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.

ARIZONA STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Arizona Department of Health Services BTCD, Arizona Healthy Aging (A-HA)
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 Repair Program
Pima Council on Aging
Tucson, Arizona
The Pima Council on Aging’s Home Repair Program offers minor home repairs to lower-income homeowners living in Pima County. Services include installation of grab bars, ramps, and shower chairs.

Home Repair Program
Pinal/Gila Council for Senior Citizens
Casa Grande, Arizona
The Home Repair Program of the Pinal/Gila Council for Senior Citizens aims to help older adults live safely and independently in their homes. It provides home adaptations such as installation of grab bars and ramps, structural repairs, and modifications that support safety and independence. Recipients must be at least 60 years old or ages 18-59 with a disability that limits their ability to perform activities of daily living.