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

DIVISION OF SERVICES FOR AGING AND ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES (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. Other efforts include:

The Home Modification Program
Program Description: The statewide Delaware Home Modification Program pays for modifications to be made to the home of a person age 18 years or older with a permanent or long-term physical disability. Modifications are made to permanent residences only. Funds are made available when no other funding source is available or when funds from another source are not adequate to pay for the needed modifications.
Population Served: Delaware residents age 18 years or older who have a permanent or long term physical disability.

DELAWARE DIVISION OF MEDICAID & MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

1. Delaware Diamond State Health Plan (DSHP) Plus
Program Description: The Delaware Diamond State Health Plan is a Section 1115 Waiver program administered by Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. It provides minor home modification services up to $6,000 per project; $10,000 per year; $20,000 lifetime. It includes certain home mobility aids (e.g., wheelchair ramp, handrails for interior or exterior stairs or steps, grab bars) and minor physical adaptations to the interior of a residence to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the resident or that increase mobility and accessibility within the residence, such as widening of doorways or modification of bathroom facilities.
Population Served: Medicaid-eligible residents who meet the waiver criteria.

2. Nursing Home Transition Program
Program Description: The Nursing Home Transition Program is a state-funded program led by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Division of Aging and Adults with Disabilities. Its goal is to identify, inform and assist nursing home residents, especially those who are Medicaid-eligible, who want to move to a community-based setting. The program offers individualized case management to accomplish this goal.
Population Served: Residents of nursing homes in Delaware.

DELAWARE STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI)
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.

DELAWARE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY

Statewide Emergency Home Repair Program (SERP)
Program Description: The Statewide Emergency Repair Program (SERP) offers assistance with emergency conditions including urgent accessibility modifications. SERP is executed by the Milford Housing Development Corporation to provide timely emergency help through various statewide partnerships.
Population Served: Delaware homeowners who have lived in their home for at least one year and who have urgent repair needs.

DELAWARE STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Delaware Coalition for Injury Prevention
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

Easter Seals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore
New Castle, Delaware
Easter Seals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore offers several accessible living programs, including services and education about making homes safer and more supportive. They have a Resource and Technology Demonstration Center that allows visitors to try hundreds of assistive devices on display, search through catalogs of products, and experience accessible room demonstrations (e.g., kitchen, bath) with home modification possibilities. Easter Seals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore also has low-interest loans for accessible living.

Minor Home Repair and Weatherization Program
Newark Senior Center
Newark, Delaware
The Newark Senior Center, in partnership with the Community Services Corporation, serves homeowners who are age 60 and older living in the City of Newark by providing free minor home repairs and weatherization services. Services include home modifications such as hand and stair railings, grab bars, ramps, and widened doorways. Eligible recipients include City of Newark homeowners who are age 60 and over whose household income does not exceed $40,000.