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

UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES: AGING AND ADULT SERVICES (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.

UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: MEDICAID

1. Acquired Brain Injury Waiver
Program Description: This Medicaid Waiver provides supportive services including environmental adaptations to assist people with an acquired brain injury to remain in their homes or other community-based settings.
Population Served: Utah Medicaid-eligible residents age 18 and older with a documented brain injury who require nursing facility level of care.

2. Aging Waiver
Program Description: The Aging Waiver provides supportive services to help older adults remain in their homes or other community-based settings. Environmental accessibility modifications are an eligible service.
Population Served: Participants must be age 65 or older, require nursing facility level of care, and meet financial eligibility requirements for Medicaid.

3. Community Supports Waiver
Program Description: This Medicaid Waiver provides supportive services to help persons with intellectual disabilities or conditions related to intellectual disabilities remain in their homes or other community-based settings. Environmental adaptations are included.
Population Served: Medicaid-eligible individuals who meet functional impairment and onset of condition criteria.

UTAH STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP), part of the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University
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.

UTAH STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Utah Falls Prevention Coalition
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:

The Alternatives Program
Weber-Morgan Area Agency on Aging
Ogden, Utah
The Alternatives Program of the Weber-Morgan Area Agency on Aging offers home and community-based services to help aging adults avoid premature institutionalization. Services may include home modifications. This program targets individuals age 60 and older; however, 25% of clients can be between the ages of 18-59. Eligibility is based on income and assets along with the present and imminent risk of nursing home placement. A small fee is required based on income and assets.