Assistive Technology and Home Modification for Seniors
Adaptive Technology and Home Modification for Seniors
New Technology for senior safety is a rapidly growing field. Examples include devices to magnify books for the visually jmpaired, speaking computers, door alarms, SOS buttons, medical alert bands, Wander Gard, medication dispensers and reminders, home monitors that can send medical information by phone or can monitor movement and alert families of changed acitivites.
Most seniors express a desire to 'age in place', that is, to remain in their own homes as long as possible rather than move to an assisted living facility or nursing home. Often this is possible, but with some modification to their home to improve safety and accessibility. Universal design requires accessible surroundings for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. Click here for an article on home modification published in US News & World Report.
Some health-related modificatons may be deductable on your income tax. County Offices on Aging may be able to connect low-income individuals with funding sources. For the Mercer County office, Mercer County Office on Aging, call the NJ EASE toll free line at 1-877-222-3737
US ADMINISTRATION ON AGING (AOA)
FACT SHEET ON HOME MODIFICATION
Web site: www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Press_Room/Products_Materials/fact/pdf/Home_Modification.pdf
AARP
- Web site: www.aarp.org/home-garden/home-improvement
- Web site: www.aarpmagazine.org/family/caregiving/caregiving_staying_connected.html
ACCESSIBLE HOMES
- Adaptations for your home
- (732) 886-5800
ACCREDITED HOME ELEVATOR
Manufacturing, installation, and repair of residential elevators, stair lifts, and platform lifts.
- 127 Rt. 9, South Barnegat NJ
- (609)660-8000
- Website: www.accelevator.com
ADAPTIVE ACCESS
Sales of adaptive equipment information about remodeling for wheelchair access:
- Website: www.adaptiveaccess.com
ASSISTIVETECH.NET
National Public website on assistive technology sponsored by Center for Assistive Technology+Envirenmental Access, Georgia Institute of Techology.
- 404-894-4960
- Website: www.assistivetech.net
ASSISTECH.COM
Assistive technologies for special needs, including visual, hearing and speech impairment, mobility and dexterity needs, medicine reminders and language translators.
- 866 674-3549
- Website: www.assistech.com
CAREPATHWAYS HOME MODIFICATION and REPAIR INFORMATION
Includes listings of contractors and information on financing home modfication
- Web site: www.carepathways.com/HMRx.cfm/
THE CENTER FOR AGING SERVICES TECHNOLOGIES
A coalition of manufacturers, researchers and government bodies supporting emerging technologies for improving the aging experience..
- Web site: http://agingtech.com/index.aspx
DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW JERSEY
Home modification Guide; includes information about ramps and other accessibility aids. Includes listings of NJ contractors, and programs that provide aid for low income individuals for home modification.
- 210 South Broad Street, Third Floor Trenton, New Jersey 08608
- 800 922-7233
- (609) 633-7106
- Web site: www.drnj.org
FICHTENBAUM, HEIDI AIA LEED AP
Ms Fichtenbaum is a registered architect in Princeton NJ. Her services include a home accessibility assessment and employs Universal Design principles so that your home can be attractive and marketable to all people regardless of their abilities.
- 38 Carnahan Place, Princeton NJ 08540
- (609) 252-0924
- Email: Heidifm@gmail.com
GOLD VIOLIN INDEPENDENT LIVING CATALOG
Products for easier living
- 877 648-8400
- Web site: www.goldviolin.com
HOME-CODE
- Home modifications for the disabled and seniors
- Serves the tri-state area
- (732) 216-8325
- Web site: www.home-code.us
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
IRS publication 502 details what health related expenses are tax deductable. See Capital Improvements for home modification expenses.
- Web site: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
JITTERBUG CELL PHONE
A cell phone targeted toward the older adult market. It has large numbers and no frills.
- 888 768-1727
- Web site: www.jitterbug.com
MAXI AIDS
Products for Independent Living, low vision, hearing, physically challenged.
- 800-522-6294
- TTY 800-281-3555
- Web site: www.maxiaids.com
NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND HOME MODIFICATION
- Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California
- 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191
- (213) 740-1364
- Web site: www.usc.edu/dept/gero/nrcshhm
HOMEMODS.ORG
A website of the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification of the University of Southern California. This website has a library of useful information and web links on home modification for the elderly and their caregivers.
Web site: www.homemods.org
SAFELINK WIRELESS
A government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers .
- 800 977-3768
- Web site: www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx
STANDER
Innovative mobility solutions.
- 435 755-1453
- Web site: http://stander.com/
WELLCOMEHOME
Information about home modification for residents with disabilities from Ball State University
- (765) 285-1471
- Web site: www.bsu.edu/wellcomehome/
See also the pages on Vision and Hearing for technology in those fields, Disability Services and Medical Equipment.
The Princeton Senior Resource Center does not endorse any of the resources listed on these pages. We collect and provide information from many sources as a service to those seeking services in the Princeton area. No listed provider pays to be in our directory.