Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program

Goal The goal of Older Adult Home Modification program is to enable low-income elderly persons to remain in their homes through low-cost, low barrier, high impact home modifications that will reduce preventable injuries, improve general safety, increase accessibility, and improve their functional abilities in their home. This will enable older adults to remain in their homes, that is, to “age in place,” rather than move to nursing homes or other assisted care facilities.

Eligible Applicants

• Owner Occupied Residence
• One individual 62 years of age or over
• Meet county income guidelines

Home Modification is a holistic approach to assisting low-income elderly to “age in place” by supporting their ability to live independently. The process includes an assessment in the home; identification and prioritization of necessary changes to the home environment to make tasks easier and reduce accidents; professional installation and implementation of solutions, including adding special features or removing hazards; and follow-up visits and evaluation.

Inspections / Consult – Together – a MercyOne Occupational Therapist and an ECIA Healthy Homes specialist will identify and prioritize necessary changes needed to the home environment.  Work will be coordinated and paid for by the program.  As well as follow-up education / re-assessment on use of changes made to the home. 

Area of coverage:  Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson Counties, with the exception of those within the city limits of Dubuque.  (City of Dubuque has a separate program)

Example of just a few of the items that could be completed: