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

IDAHO COMMISSION 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.

IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE: MEDICAID

1. Idaho Aged and Disabled Waiver
Program Description: The Idaho Aged and Disabled Waiver provides supportive home and community-based services to maximize independence. Examples include adult day health, homemaker, residential habilitation, respite, supported employment, and environmental accessibility adaptations
Population Served: Medicaid-eligible individuals age 65 years and older and individuals ages 18-64 with physical disabilities.

2. Idaho Developmental Disabilities Waiver
Program Description: This Medicaid Waiver for adults with developmental disabilities provides home and community-based services to maximize independence. Examples include: residential habilitation, respite, supported employment, financial management services, support broker services, adult day health, behavior consultation/crisis management, chore services, and environmental accessibility adaptations.
Population Served: Medicaid-eligible individuals with autism or a developmental or intellectual disability who are 18 years and older.

IDAHO STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Idaho Assistive Technology Project
The Idaho Assistive Technology Project includes a Finance Program that provides low-interest loans to Idaho residents with disabilities to purchase assistive technology from $500 – $10,000 and may include building modifications for accessibility.
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.

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 Program
Area Agency on Aging: South Idaho
Twin Falls, Idaho
The College of Southern Idaho Office on Aging works in conjunction with Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (IVC) to install safety equipment to reduce the risk of falls in caregivers’ homes. They provide funds to IVC to build wheelchair ramps that provide safer access in and out of the home, handrails, and grab bars to reduce the risk of falls.