[Indiana_Family_Connection] Home modifications (INDIANA)

November 28, 2007

[mailto:Indiana_Family_Connection ]

Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:51 PM

Subject: [indiana_Family_Connection] Home modifications

Home Modification Services Now Available for Low-Income Hoosiers

Home modifications are a critical part of aging in place for seniors and

living with independence for people with disabilities. Modifications can

include a multitude of adjustments such as ramps, roll-in showers, widened

doors, better lighting, or lever door handles and are designed to increase

the ease of use, safety and independence in a home.

For many in Indiana home modifications to remodel an established home are

out of reach due to the expense. Sherry Parks found herself in just that

situation and she knew that she needed a ramp and a few other minor home

modifications or her brother was not going to be allowed to return home from

the rehabilitation center. Lloyd had lost his leg to diabetes and required

dialysis several times a week for his kidneys. While Sherry wanted to be

Lloyd's caregiver she knew she needed some help. " I just didn't know where

to turn until I was referred to Attain. "

Attain, with the help of a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable

Trust, launched a new home modification program in November of 2004 that

will help families just like Sherry's. After asking qualified contractors to

bid on the project Creative Home Contractors, LLC began work just before

Thanksgiving. The weather was uncooperative and caused several delays in the

project, but Ron Swain and Joe Belitz of Creative Home Contractors worked

through the mud and the Thanksgiving weekend to complete the job on time. In

addition to the ramp at the front of the home, grab bars and extended double

hinges were added to the interior to make the bath more accessible. " The

house is ready for Lloyd to come home and we feel blessed, " Sherry said.

With help from community organizations Attain will continue to seek

applicants and contractors to expand the program. The program serves

seniors and people with disabilities in Indiana that would not be able to

afford the modifications otherwise and need to change their environment for

safety, mobility, or other related reasons. If you or someone you know needs

help with home modifications please contact Attain at 317-486-8808 or email

at attaininfo@... for more information.

___

Recommended Posts