Oswego County Habitat For Humanity Helps Older Adults Stay In Their Homes With ‘Aging In Place’ Program

The Oswego County Habitat for Humanity, (OCHFH) Aging In Place  (AIP) program is successfully helping older adults “stay in their homes and the communities they love,” said Samuel Raponi, OCHFH executive director. The program, in collaboration with  healthcare and construction professionals, works with older homeowners to make repairs, install assistive devices and equipment that enhance functionality and improve their overall quality of life.  Members of the Phoenix Fire Dept., above, volunteered to build a new set of steps for an AIP client. For information on the Aging In Place program, visit www.oswegohabitat.org. To apply, contact Raponi at [email protected] or call (315) 532-6442.

OSWEGO, NY – The Oswego County Habitat for Humanity, (OCHFH) Aging In Place  (AIP) program is successfully helping older adults “stay in their homes and the communities they love,” said Samuel Raponi, OCHFH executive director. “It’s been projected that, over the next 20 years, households led by individuals in their 80s will become the fastest growing age group, which provides stability within their communities.

            “Through the AIP program, we collaborate with families, communities, and local organizations to provide products and services that provide livable homes for older adults,” Raponi said. “This ultimately enhances their quality of life. We employ two different assessments in each case to ensure that the homeowners’ needs are clearly understood.”

            The first assessment is conducted by a health or human services professional who discusses each homeowner’s daily living activities, Raponi said.  This includes how they handle tasks like paying bills, house cleaning, communicating with others, running errands, and shopping. The second assessment involves a home repair evaluation by a construction specialist from OCHFH.

            “These assessments enable OCHFH to provide modifications to their homes tailored to each homeowner’s specific lifestyle,” Raponi said. “Among the kinds of modifications we make are installing lever door handles, ramps, railings, grab bars, walk-in showers with a low threshold, and raised toilets to make homes more accessible for older adults. In addition, resources such as Meals on Wheels may also be recommended to enhance the comfort and ease of older residents. By combining repairs and modifications with available community resources, older homeowners can remain safe and secure in their homes as they age.”

            Raponi said that AIP seeks to collaborate with the healthcare sector based on research showing that individuals with functional limitations and chronic conditions are four times more likely than the general population to experience high healthcare costs.  “Low-income older adults face a higher risk of chronic diseases and disabilities due to limited access to primary care and a greater likelihood of living in substandard, deteriorating housing.”

            Raponi explained that the home environment either enable or create a barrier to safe living . “Intervention on three levels can lead to positive outcomes,” he said. “ These are psychological (personal aspirations and behaviors), physiological (physical condition and functional abilities), and environmental (the condition and layout of the home and the use of adaptive devices). By collaborating with each client, healthcare providers help identify and prioritize functional activities of daily living, assess performance, and determine any obstacles or environmental barriers. Together, they brainstorm ways to achieve functional goals by identifying assistive devices, equipment, and other supplies that enhance functionality while improving overall quality of life.

            “In 2024, Aging in Place proudly celebrated numerous successful endeavors and continues to do so, all made possible by a generous grant from the American Rescue Plan Act Funds, facilitated through the Oswego County Office of Strategic Initiatives. These initiatives have not only enriched the lives of older adults but have also strengthened the fabric of the community as a whole.”

            For information on the Aging In Place program, visit www.oswegohabitat.org. To apply, contact Raponi at [email protected] or call (315) 532-6442.

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