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 http://www.efanniemae.com, 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 and healthcare plans. The National Association of Home Builders says that some programs – auto insurance, worker’s compensation, long term care policies (some will cover the cost of major modifications in lieu of a transition to a long-term care facility), state catastrophic accident insurance plans, and medical trust funds – might cover the costs of a home modification.

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, check with your care/case manager to find out if some home modification costs may be covered in the plan (note: those that do generally require participation in a care management program).

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 their services and find the local office serving you at http://101mobility.com/locator/.

Additional Sources:

• HomeMods.org
• NAHB.org

~Brother David Steindl-Rast

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”

~ Brian Tracy

I can’t say that 2011 has been my best year of life.  The other day, I thought to myself “I cannot WAIT for this year to be over.”  But really, what is going to happen to make my life better by just the turning of the date on the NEW calendar?

Because of the way my year has been going and because I have noticed a return to the process of being grateful, I began writing in my journal each night a list of things for which I was grateful.  Some days it was difficult; some days were easy.

As I began doing this, I realized that I have not been very good at expressing my gratitude to the people who needed to hear it.  Often I was too self-indulgent, or ego-centric to even think to do it!  And sometimes I was just plain “too busy”.

I needed to change my attitude about gratitude !

This is one of the reasons I became involved with The Gratitude Project – Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude.  I am pleased to be one of the featured authors in this inspiring work and I’m so excited that it is being launched TODAY!  In the book, I share not 1, but 2 stories…one about caregiving for my father and one (oddly enough) about why I’m grateful for my EX-husband (WHO would write about that?)

You can find out WHY I wrote these stories by getting your own copy of The Gratitude Project and read all of the 363 other inspiring stories, as well!  It would also make a lovely gift, especially in this economy when everyone could use some uplifting stories.

Today is our official launch day and because of that, I am hoping that you will consider purchasing the book today because we are trying to make it to the Amazon Best Seller’s list!

Our net proceeds from retail sales are proudly donated to:

• Feeding America
• Women for Women International
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.)

I would love if you would purchase one or two of the books to use for yourself or as gifts for your family and friends!

PS I know that some caregivers would like to write a book of their own, maybe a memoir on caregiving or about the loved one for whom you care.  My editor is offering $500 worth of gifts to help write and publish your book if you buy The Gratitude Project AND My Favorite Christmas Memories today. (When you buy both, there’s a discount AND you get free shipping.)

More details can be found here!

I thought I would just leave this little “gift” up for the remainder of the holidays in case anyone finds it
useful.  But feel free to hop about the site and explore any articles of interest.

To receive your gift, right click on the words “holiday recipes”  BELOW and then click on “Save Target as” to save it in your files.  Be patient because it’s a large file and may take awhile to download.

Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!

Shelley

PS Remember that if you need any geriatric care management services, we are here for you!

A Personal Emergency Response System (or PERS) is a service generally provided by a private company, that helps to monitor its subscribers for falls, medical problems or other emergencies by use of a 3 part system. These 3 parts consist of a). a pendant, charm, necklace, belt or watch b). a base station and c). a call center/monitoring station.

When a person needs help, they simply press their “Help” button and are connected via 2-way voice to an operator at the call center. (The call center has a file on each subscriber that lists their diagnoses, medications, allergies, and emergency contact information.) The call center will verify that there is an emergency and will notify the appropriate emergency response system. Family members will also be notified.

You can purchase, rent, or lease a PERS. Keep in mind that Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance companies typically don’t pay for the equipment, and the few that pay require a doctor’s recommendation but the security and peace of mind that these systems bring with them is worth their cost.

PERS systems are good for elders while they are in their homes within range of the base station (see below for range). They won’t do any good for an elder who falls at the grocery store.

The MPERS (Mobile Personal Emergency Response System) takes this one step further and allows the subscriber to be away from the base station. Unlike the PERS which often required that the subscriber be within 300 feet or less of the base station, the MPERS utilizes GPS and/or cellular technology that allows seniors to be on the go and still be safely monitored.

The Alzheimer’s Association now offers Comfort Zone, especially for patients with dementia, but which would still be great for all elders with disconcerting diagnoses. It utilizes GPS technology and has computer monitoring capabilities for families. This seems a little intrusive to the elder but let me share a story with you about a lady who lived in my area. This lady had Alzheimer’s and took a car out for a drive one fall day. Somehow, she drove right into a cornfield, got the car stuck and so began trying to find her way out on foot. She couldn’t find her way out and no one was able to locate her once they knew she went missing. Unfortunately, she succombed to the elements. If she had been wearing a GPS locator, chances are good that she would have been found in time. This is, of course, one of the more expensive options.

The Alzheimer’s association also offers Medic Alert + Safe Return(TM) which is simply a medic alert bracelet that includes an emergency response number with 24 hour staff monitoring which is just $25.00 per year after an initial set up fee of $24.95.

Some other PERS that are available include:

Philips Lifeline

* $37-$45/monthly
* has auto alert option( extra charge)for falls
* $25.00 set up fee
* has long-range capabilities
* has medication reminder program (extra charge)

ADT

* 35.00 monthly
* $99.00 set up fee
* 300 foot distance
* 1 year committment

Walgreen’s Ready Response (owned by American Medical Alert Company)

* seemingly good value
* $35 set up fee
* $35 monthly
* 250 foot range

Life Station

* $27-$37/monthly
* No set up fee
* 400 foot range
* (not available in Canada)

Life Alert (owner of the original “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” ad)

* had the worst reviews
* $50.00/month
* $200.00 up front costs
* 150 foot range
* 3 year contract
* They won’t provide any info without receiving your phone number/address

Life Link

* 0 monthly cost
* $289 upfront cost
* 50-200 foot range

Rescue Alert

* $29.00/month
* no upfront costs
* 3-12 month committment
* has long-range capabilities (600-1000 feet)

VRI (Valued Relationships, Inc.)

* $15-33/month
* 0 – $175 upfront costs
* 250 – 600 foot range

ASSA

* $25-$30/month
* no upfront costs
* 3-12 month committment

Bay Alarm Medical

* No upfront costs
* 300-500 foot
* $34.95 monthly
* offers medication reminder system for additional charge
* available in Canada

Healthsense

* slightly different system that uses WiFi technology

* has automatic fall detection
* calls residents with reminders for medications, etc.

Some questions to ask when researching these systems:

* How long is your response time?
* Does your staff receive any special training? What kind of training DO they receive?
* Are there batteries and how long is the average battery life?
* Is there a replacement charge for batteries?
* Is the equipment rented or purchased?
* Is there a replacement charge for broken equipment?
* What happens if I move? Do you have centers in other states?
* What are the initial costs and which costs are recurring?
* Is there a fixed term contract? Can I cancel at any time or is there a cancellation fee?
* Is the pendant, watch, etc., waterproof?

Astounding statistics confirming that older Americans aren’t getting enough physical activity – How We can change this.

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Physical Activity and Older Americans

by Margot McClelland

In the state of our economy, selling your home is tough. Even relatively stable markets, like Austin Real Estate, are suffering — and, regrettably, economists forecast a dreary future for real estate in the months to come. If your loved one would like to downsize to a smaller home or apartment in a more age friendly environment or move in with an adult child for caregiving and assistance, they may feel hopeless or reluctant to even put their house on the market. Luckily, there are easy ways to update the look of a home without spending lots of money. As a caregiver, you can help. Just follow these 5 easy steps and you should make a great impression on a prospective buyer and get the best offer on a home.

A charming first impression

The first things a buyer sees are the curb, porch, and garden. Although these areas are sometimes neglected for extended periods of time, a well kept garden, swept porch, and welcoming wreath can give buyers a great first impression.

A tidy home

Of course, as houses age, they may wear down in places, crack, weather, etc. While these things are bound to happen, you want a potential buyer to get the impression that someone has kept up the house, despite its age. To portray a well-maintained home, touch up all chipped paint and keep the house in pristine condition at all times. Change air filters and deep clean the carpets before showing.

Impress with appealing kitchen and bathrooms

The kitchen is the heart of any home. Families gather, mothers cook, sons and daughters lick spoons. Due to the kitchen’s familial connotations, it’s important to keep this room in great condition. If you can afford to update appliances, you should try and do so. However, if you’re strapped for cash, just give your current appliances a nice, deep clean. People also tend to closely examine bathrooms for cleanliness. Give the bathroom a scrub down from top to bottom until it shines.

Get impersonal

Last but not least, impersonalize the home. After a person has lived in a home for decades, they can accumulate a lifetime’s worth of belongings, photos, and furniture. The best way to make a house impersonal is to put all photos in boxes and stow them away. Also try and de-clutter the home to give the impression of spaciousness. A home that is impersonal and uncluttered will allow the buyer to visualize themselves and their family in the home, rather than directly seeing someone else’s family all around them.

While you may be apprehensive about selling your home or helping a loved one sell their home, with these easy pointers, you’ll surely sell in less time.

*Margot is a guest blogger on the subjects of homes and real estate.

I Won’t Let Go

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
There are battles to fight,
By day and night,
… For God and the right—
And I’ll never let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
I’m sick, tis true,
Worried and blue,
And worn through and through,
But I won’t let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
I will never yield!
What! Lie down on the field
And surrender my shield?
No, I’ll never let go!

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
May this be my song:
“Mid legions of wrong—
Oh, God, keep me strong
That I may never let go!”

Author Unknown