Welcome to the West Virginia State Profile Page! This page features a sample of survey and research results from a comprehensive review of state and local home modification activities across the country. It has a special focus on the aging population and the efforts of the aging network (State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and Native American aging service programs that are funded by the Older Americans Act Title VI) as well as other governmental agencies and programs.
STATE PROFILE: West Virginia
West Virginia
A State Profile of Home Modification Activities
SPOTLIGHT ON STATE LEVEL HOME MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state’s important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL HOME MODIFICATION EFFORTS
How are agencies across the country responding to their communities’ home modification needs? Read about stand-out home modification efforts of the aging network as well as local agencies in this state.
Check back as new updates will be posted periodically! Have any changes or additions? Please contact homemods@usc.edu
SPOTLIGHT ON STATE LEVEL HOME MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES
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
WEST VIRGINIA BUREAU OF SENIOR 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.
Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver Program
Program Description: The West Virginia Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) Program, administered by the State Unit on Aging, provides in-home and community services to individuals age 18 and older who need support services to maintain their independence. Home modifications are an eligible supportive service.
Population Served: Medicaid-eligible West Virginians age 18 and older who meet medical eligibility based on a functional assessment by a medical professional.
WEST VIRGINIA STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)
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.
WEST VIRGINIA STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION
West Virginia Falls Prevention Initiatives
Contact Deborah Isner at: Deborah.A.Isner@wv.gov for more information
For an up to date list of all state fall prevention coalitions, visit: https://www.ncoa.org/resources/list-of-state-falls-prevention-coalitions/
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL HOME MODIFICATION EFFORTS
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:
Community Living Services Program
Appalachian Center for Independent Living
Charleston, West Virginia
The Community Living Services Program of the Appalachian Center for Independent Living helps individuals with disabilities to function more independently in their homes and communities. The program purchases assistive devices, durable medical equipment, home modifications, wheelchair ramps and vehicle modifications for people with disabilities who meet income requirements.
This page is brought to you by the project, “Promoting Aging in Place by Enhancing Access to Home Modifications,” supported, in part, by grant number 90PPHM0001 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.
