Where the heart is: how to pay for home modifications

By Michelle Seitzer

Aging in place (AIP) costs considerably less than assisted living care, but it’s not free.

Though funds are dwindling for many senior-related programs (Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security have all spent ample time on the chopping block lately), there are still a number of federal, state, local and private organizations that offer financial support to seniors who want to stay where the heart is.

To begin – because first you might need to sell the idea to skeptical family members, or just figure out what modifications are needed before getting the capital to do it – get to know what services and resources are offered in your home state via these helpful sites:

• Search for home repair and modification resources in your region at Eldercare.gov.
• HomeMods.org is a national information clearinghouse on all things related to home modifications. Professionals and consumers alike can peruse an extensive resource directory on the site.
• Not sure if your own home or a senior loved one’s residence is adaptable for AIP? Most are, but the WellCome Home site helps you clearly see the potential and know where to direct your energies and efforts when it’s time to transform the home.
• Download this Home Safety Checklist from Rebuilding Together, Inc. to remove fall hazards and resolve accessibility issues, many of which may be implemented without spending a dime.

Should the need arise for assistive equipment (such as power chairs or stair lifts) or home modifications (like wheelchair ramps or door-opening systems), here are a few ways to ease the burden of purchasing or installing these costly components.

Claim a deduction. Russell Glickman, a DC-based home design and remodeling expert, recommends conferring with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to find out whether you or a loved one is eligible to deduct the cost of home modifications on your federal income tax. You need a written recommendation from your doctor as proof that the modifications are medically necessary. Glickman also states that you can claim a deduction for the costs of operating and maintaining the modifications, whether or not the stair lift, ramp, or other equipment qualified as a medical expense. Home improvements (or capital expenses) that may be deducted per the IRS.gov are as follows:

• Constructing entrance or exit ramps for your home.
• Widening doorways at entrances or exits to your home.
• Widening or otherwise modifying hallways and interior doorways.
• Installing railings, support bars, or other modifications to bathrooms.
• Lowering or modifying kitchen cabinets and equipment.
• Moving or modifying electrical outlets and fixtures.
• Installing porch lifts and other forms of lifts (but elevators generally add value to the house).
• Modifying fire alarms, smoke detectors, and other warning systems.
• Modifying stairways.
• Adding handrails or grab bars anywhere (whether or not in bathrooms).
• Modifying hardware on doors.
• Modifying areas in front of entrance and exit doorways.
• Grading the ground to provide access to the residence.

Note: You can only itemize these deductions if the main purpose of installation is medical care for you, a spouse or dependent (modifications made for aesthetic, architectural or other personal reasons do not qualify). Permanent improvements that boost your property’s value may be partially included as a deduction; in this case, the cost of the home modification is reduced by the amount of the property value increase (whatever the difference is what your qualified medical expense to deduct will be). If the home modification does not increase your property value, you can deduct the whole cost as a medical expense.

Visit the Area Agency on Aging. Every state offers different incentives, programs, and benefits to their senior residents. The best way to learn about them all, in addition to any tax credits or federal monies available through Medicare, Medicaid (in some states, you may be able to qualify for funding via the Medicaid HCBS – home and community-based services – waiver), HUD, the VA, or the USDA that would be disbursed through the state, is at your local Area Agency on Aging. The AAA is a one-stop-shop neighborhood branch of your state’s department that handles senior care (i.e. Department of Aging, Department of Public Welfare, etc.). Go to Eldercare.gov or N4A.org to find your AAA by zip code, city or county.

Apply for grants or take advantage of state assistive technology projects to make your home wheelchair accessible. According to HomeMods.org, funding is available for this specific modification through the Department of Veteran Affairs (call 800-827-1000 or your local VA for more details) and via the United Cerebral Palsy Association (call 800-872-5827). The IRS also permits those with disabilities to claim some of these expenses as a tax deduction. Check in with the National Council on Independent Living Center (call 703-525-3406) to get local funding information and referral services.

Get a loan to add a room. If Mom is moving in and she has health needs or disabilities, you may be eligible for government funding. FannieMae offers the HomeChoice program, Home Keeper program, and the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (get more details at eFanniemae, or visit the local office). In Texas, New Mexico, California and Illinois, residents can apply for a Home Modifications Loan for Homeowners (with fixed interest rates and low minimum loan amounts) via Bank of America, under the “Access Loans” category. For more information, call 800-843-2632 (in CA, IL) or 800-900-9000 (in TX, NM).

Contact local foundations and non-profit organizations. Some may offer financial assistance or services referrals for those providing care for someone with disabilities or diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Easter Seals and Rebuilding Together both offer low- or no-cost community-based home modification and repair programs.

Take out a second/reverse mortgage. If you have the equity, this is a good way to secure a loan for a home modification, which, if done well, should add value to the home as more people will be seeking homes where aging in place is possible. You must be over 62 to secure funding via a reverse mortgage. (Learn more about reverse mortgages here.)

Check your insurance policies. The National Association of Home Builders says that some programs (auto insurance, worker’s compensation, long term care policies, state catastrophic accident insurance plans, and medical trust funds) might cover the costs of a home modification.

Move your parents in. If you have decided it’s best for Mom and Dad to just move in with you so you can provide care more readily, Glickman says you may be able to use proceeds from the sale of their home to make an accessible suite at your residence. He adds that adult children can avail themselves of the space in the future too, as their own care needs change.

Ready to consider a home modification for a family member’s residence, or your own? 101 Mobility has a full line of products (stairlifts, auto lifts, ramps, and more) and a team of highly-trained professional installers standing by to get AIP construction underway. Learn more about our services and find the local office serving you at http://101mobility.com/locator/.

Additional Sources:

• HomeMods.org
• National Association of Home Builders 

Meet the New ADA Regulations Deadline of March 15, 2012 with Help from 101 Mobility

March 15, 2012 is the deadline set by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II and III Regulations that set a new level of accessibility standards for swimming pools, wading pools, and spas. 101 Mobility can help you to meet this deadline and remain compliant with federal regulations.

Adopted on September 10, 2010, these new regulations are the first new set of scoping and technical standards for accessibility in nearly 20 years.  The new 2010 Standards cover state and local government facilities as well as public and commercial facilities. Both existing and newly constructed swimming pools, spas, and wading pools are covered under the new regulations.

What’s Included in the New Regulations

The 2010 Regulations require any swimming pools with less than 300 linear feet of pool wall to provide one means of access either by sloped entry or by the installation of a pool lift. Additionally, those pools with over 300 linear feet of pool wall must provide two means of access, which can by be any of the following:

1. Pool lift
2. Sloped entry
3. Transfer wall
4. Transfer system
5. Accessible pool stairs

Wading pools must have sloped entry. Spas, whether in ground or portable, must provide one means of entry in the form of a lift, transfer wall, or transfer system.

What It Means to You

The implications are clear. By March 15, 2012, most owner and operators will need to have retrofitted their existing pools and spas with a pool lift or some other means of accessible entry to accommodate those with disabilities. For more information on how the new ADA Title II and III Regulations affect your business, please visit the ADA website. Click here to view the various PDF files for Standards of Accessible Design.

If your facility has a pool or spa on site, let the experts at your local 101 Mobility office help you to bring it into compliance with the new ADA regulations. Find and call your local 101 Mobility location now!

Grab Bars Keep You Safe and Steady

Did you know the installation of grab bars is one of the easiest ways to stay safe in the bathroom? Grab bars provide confidence to many people who worry about falling in the bathroom or have issues with their equilibrium.  These common and effective bathroom safety devices are easy to install and are a cost effective way to provide the confidence you need when entering and exiting the bath.

At 101 Mobility, we offer a wide variety of grab bars to meet your design and style preferences. From polished chrome to stainless steel and bronze to satin nickel, we have the variety of styles and finishes to meet your needs. We also offer folding and locking grab bars for those who desire a grab bar that can be moved out of the way when not in use. As your full service mobility professionals, we can order nearly any style of grab bar for your bathroom. We also offer expert installation of grab bars so you can be confident they will support you at all times.

We always recommend choosing a grab bar that meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. ADA approved grab bars are rated for a 250# dead weight pull. This will ensure the grab bar can hold your entire body weight should you slip and use the grab bar to steady you. We only sell grab bars that meet or exceed ADA requirements.

The most common placement for grab bars is at entrance and exit point of the shower for assistance in stepping over the tub wall. Grab bars can also be placed inside the shower for extra assistance should you lose your balance while in the shower. Next to the toilet is another common area in the bathroom to see grab bars; especially if your bathroom is small and can’t accommodate a safety seat frame. The installation of grab bars near the toilet will help with moving to and from a sitting position.  Grab bars can also be installed at the top or bottom of a staircase for assistance steadying yourself before climbing the stairs or as you enter or exit a stairlift. Grab bars can also be helpful when placed near a door. For those who suffer from vertigo or are unsteady on their feet, the simple act of opening a door can be difficult. The addition of a grab bar allows you to have something to hang on to as you reach to open or close the door.

If you have questions about the purchase and installation of grab bars for your home, please contact the 101 Mobility location nearest you.

Veterans! Do You Qualify for a HISA Grant?

Are you a U.S. military veteran? Do you suffer from a disability due to your service? There is a lot of help out there for funding improvements to your home to assist you with your comfort and recovery.

The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant can be used for any home improvement necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. Among the improvements a HISA Grant will cover are:

• Allowing entrance or exit from veteran’s home;
• Improving access for use of essential lavatory and   sanitary facilities;
• Improving access to kitchen and bathroom counters;
• Handrails and grab rails;
• Lowered Electrical outlets and switches;
• Improving paths or driveways;
• Improving plumbing and electrical work for dialysis patients

A HISA grant is available to veterans who have received a medical determination indicating that improvements and structural alterations are necessary or appropriate for the effective and economical treatment of a disability. A veteran may receive both a HISA grant and either a Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant (below) or a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant (below).Home improvement benefits up to $4,100 are available to veterans with a service-connected disability, and up to $1,200 is available to veterans with non-service-related disabilities.To apply, the veteran must first have a prescription from a VA or a fee-basis physician. This must include:

• Specific items required;
• The diagnosis with medical justification;
• The veteran’s name, address, SSN, and phone number(s);

In addition, a list of other items regarding the exact work to be completed, costs, and site drawings must be compiled and submitted as well.101 Mobility is glad to help in this process from start to finish. We are here to make sure that you get the modifications and the equipment that you need in order to live a more comfortable and accessible life.Call us today at 1.888.236.6917 or visit us at: www.101Mobility.com and let us help get you the assistance you need without any hassle or inconvenience to you.Source: http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/docs/HISA_english.pdf

A Young Woman’s Struggle

With all of the advances in equality in accessibility, it seems the airline industry may have some catching up to do. Read a young woman’s plea in her own words, and find out how you can join in on the effort:

I am writing this because I believe the airline industry should have to comply with the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. I have cerebral palsy. That means although I have a normal mind, I still have uncontrollable spastic limb movement. I cannot talk or hold my own body upright. I need my wheelchair to keep me in the right posture, and to restrain my arms and legs. The problem is the airline companies make all disabled people check their wheelchair with other baggage. I have visited my grandparents in Ohio and Florida many times. My parents have spent up to 7 hours trying to keep me seated between them. I don’t have the motor function to sit upright on my own. The airplane chairs are not big enough for a seat insert and do not support my upper body. When my shoulders are not in front of my hips, I go into an extension pattern. Due to my spastic limb movement, my parents have to physically restrain my arms and legs. I have strong tone, so this is not easy. None of us can eat, drink, read, or make ourselves comfortable in any other way. As I get older and bigger, each flight gets more difficult.

If you want to get involved, here is Sally’s Petition:

We petition the airline industry to better accommodate travelers who use wheelchairs. We propose that the first seat in the first row of the airplane be removable with the capability to have tie downs inserted when needed to accommodate a wheelchair, or that the airlines develop a solution to this urgent need.

For more information, or to sign the petition, please visit the following website: www.acommunityforeveryone.org.Contact:Susan BlanchardFamily Support DirectorUnited Cerebral Palsy of Oregon& SW Washington11731 NE Glenn Widing DrivePortland, OR  972201-503-777-4166 x232