Improving the delivery of home modifications

Issue title: Home Modifications

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Pynoos, Jon^{; *} | Tabbarah, Melissa | Angelelli, Joe | Demiere, Marian

Affiliations: Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. Tel.: + 1 213 7401364; fax: + 1 213 7408241; e-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: The growing number of older adults and younger persons with disabilities who would benefit from home modifications have not yet been matched by a delivery system capable of responding to their needs. The delivery system for home modifications is a patchwork of fragmented and uncoordinated services with significant gaps in types of services available and geographic coverage. These problems are compounded by factors that limit both the demand for and supply of home modification services. This article discusses the incidence and need for home modifications; what is known about service delivery; barriers to developing an effective system; promising recent developments; and recommendations for next steps.

Keywords: Home modifications, Service delivery, Adaptations, Long-term care, Housing

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-1998-81-202

Journal: Technology and Disability, vol. 8, no. 1-2, pp. 3-14, 1998