Legislation allows Americans to reduce cost of modifications allowing aging in place
May 13, 2022 // FranchiseMarketingSolutions.com // OMAHA, Neb. – Right at Home, a member of the Homes Renewed Coalition and one of the world’s foremost providers of in-home care for seniors and adults with disabilities, applauds the introduction of the Home Modification for Accessibility Act. Recently introduced by U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), the bill empowers Americans to make decisions about where and how they age in place by offsetting the costs associated with making home modifications through a penalty free early retirement withdrawal and lifetime tax deduction of up to $30,000. This will reduce injuries and subsequent medical costs associated with falls. The coalition supports policies that encourage modifications to existing homes to help older adults age in place.
“Right at Home appreciates the efforts of Congress and the work of the HomesRenewed Coalition to allow tax incentives for home modifications that allow seniors to remain in their residence longer. We applaud Congressmen Crist and Suozzi on their introduction of the Home Modification for Accessibility Act on May 6. This fits well with the Right at Home mission, to improve the quality of life for those we serve,” said Margaret Haynes, President and CEO of Right at Home. “Historically, housing design did not take into account the aging process and the physical constraints it imposes on seniors and adults living with disabilities who want to age in their home environment. Tax policy to incentivize these much-needed modifications would pay for itself over time with reduced fall risk and less utilization of more costly care options.”
While presenting at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting last November, Dr. Jesse Abraham with the HomesRenewed Resource Center reported an alarming statistic: According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Housing Survey, of the 14 million households headed by someone over age 75, 46% had an acknowledged accessibility problem (either entering the home; or getting to or using the bathroom, kitchen or bedroom).
Surveys have revealed the desire of seniors to remain in their homes longer, and there are numerous proposals, pilots and initiatives to introduce more care in the home. However, older homes in which many seniors reside often have steep stairs, unsafe or nonexistent railings, uneven surfaces, and poor lighting that do not accommodate the aging process.
Right at Home’s expertise in navigating the aging care journey will help the HomesRenewed Coalition in its advocacy efforts for accessible homes for seniors.
About Right at Home
Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated, and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global headquarters is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 600 franchise locations in the U.S. and seven other countries.
About HomesRenewed Coalition
The HomesRenewed Coalition’s mission is to significantly increase the number of American homes prepared for residents to live throughout the modern lifespan. We promote the establishment of consumer incentives for home updates on Wall Street, Main Street, and Capitol Hill. Updated homes are the missing link needed to avoid a crisis in housing and care for older Americans, which threatens the long-term solvency of the social safety net. This broad-based coalition uses education and advocacy to promote market-based solutions to reduce medical costs, improve the delivery of services, and increase the dignity, choice, and independence of older Americans living in their homes in their communities. By crossing sectors and unifying voices, we are launching an “Aging in Place Industry.” Our members include Lowe’s, Lifeway Mobility, LifewiseCHM, Axxess, Seniors Homes Services, VGM Live at Home, National Seating & Mobility, TruBlue Total House Care, Right at Home, Age Safe America, HandyPRo, Home Safety Services, and many others. For more information, visit www.homesrenewedcoalition.com.
SOURCE Right at Home