Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi everyone, welcome
to the Aging in Place Directory
podcast.
I'm Esther Kane.
I am your host.
Today I am going to dosomething a little different.
I have a horrible sore throattrying to get over this cold flu
, whatever it is, and so Iwanted to do something a little
(00:22):
different.
This new technology came out.
It's an AI program that readsinformation you put in it.
You can type a script, you cancopy and paste an article,
whatever, and then what it doesis it generates a conversational
summary or review of thatinformation.
And it's two people, a man anda woman, completely AI generated
(00:46):
.
It's quite amazing when youlisten to it One, it doesn't
sound AI generated and two, theydo really a very good job of
reviewing the information youput in there.
So I thought, well, since Ican't speak for very long or
very well at this point, thatmight be something interesting
to do.
So that's what I'm going to doright now.
(01:07):
The article is when to FindNo-Cost Home Upgrades for Aging
in Place, so I hope you enjoy it.
Please let us know in yourcomments and, of course you know
, subscribe to our YouTubechannel, our podcast channel,
and I look forward very much toyour comments about this new
technology and about the articleitself, worked very hard to
(01:30):
find information on how to findfunding for aging in place,
projects that we are allpromoting and that we know a lot
of older adults need.
All right, my voice is going,so I hope I will see you next
time with a better voice.
Take care Bye.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Hey everyone, and
welcome to a deep dive on a
topic we know you're interestedin making your home safer and
more livable as you get older,all without spending a fortune.
Focusing on no-cost solutionsis really smart because,
seriously, there are so manyresources out there that people
don't even know about.
You could save thousands ofdollars and the best part is you
(02:13):
don't have to figure this outon your own.
We're going to uncover thosehidden gems in government-funded
programs and then we'll diveinto the amazing support that's
out there from nonprofits.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
You know it's funny
how many people just assume
these programs are too good tobe true.
Right, but the truth is thegovernment actually has a vested
interest in helping seniorsstay in their own homes.
When you think about it thecosts of assisted living or
long-term care it's astronomical.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Oh absolutely.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
It makes way more
sense, financially and
personally, to give seniors themeans to live on their own for
as long as possible.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Okay, so let's talk
about these government programs.
I know what some of you mightbe thinking paperwork headaches
the whole nine yards, yeah.
But trust me some of theseprograms are much easier to use
than you might think and theyhave really great benefits.
Let's take HUD home improvementloans as an example.
Now, we're not talking abouttaking on a whole new mortgage
here.
Right this program, especiallythe one for existing homeowners
(03:08):
like yourselves.
It can give you access to lowinterest rates or even grants to
make your home safer and easierto get around in.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
And that's huge for a
lot of seniors.
Suddenly, things like ramps orwalk-in showers, or even just
sturdy handrails those essentialupgrades that seemed out of
reach, they become a turnable.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, that's got to
be a game changer for people.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Yeah, but you're
right, Eligibility is key.
There are usually income-basedguidelines and they can change
from one place to another.
Right, that's why it's superimportant to reach out to your
local HUD office.
They can give you the specifics, answer any questions and
really see what you qualify for.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Yeah, it's like
having a personal guide through
the whole world of governmentprograms, and here's where it
gets even more interesting.
Your location can actually openup even more doors, especially
if you're in a rural area.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Absolutely.
For anyone listening who mightbe thinking well, I'm out in the
sticks, these programs don'tapply to me.
That's not true at all.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Right.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
The USDA has
something called Rural
Development Grants, and one oftheir programs is specifically
for low income seniors living inrural communities.
They offer assistance withessential home repairs rural
communities.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
They offer assistance
with essential home repairs.
So even if you're miles fromthe city, there's still help
available.
Imagine needing safety upgradeslike grab bars or better
lighting, but feeling likeyou're on your own out there.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Right.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
This program shows
that you don't have to go it
alone.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
And don't forget
about all the state and local
initiatives out there.
They can be invaluable Areaagencies on aging, for example.
They're like hubs for seniorresources in a lot of
communities.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
You can think of them
as your local senior center,
but with even more to offer moreresources, more expertise.
They might have fundsspecifically for home
modifications or they canconnect you with contractors who
give discounts to seniors.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
That's incredible.
So many people have no ideathose local resources even exist
.
And then there's communitydevelopment block grants.
Now these are interestingbecause they can be used for a
lot of different communityprojects, and sometimes that
includes you guessed it homeimprovements for seniors.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Exactly.
The main thing to remember hereis to be proactive.
Don't assume you already knoweverything that's out there.
Do some research, make a fewcalls, connect with local
officials or your senior center.
You might be surprised at whatyou find those hidden gems right
in your own backyard.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
I love that.
Hidden gems.
Okay, so we've covered a lot ofground here with these
government programs, but now Iwant to shift gears a bit and
talk about the incredible workthat nonprofit organizations are
doing.
Okay, so, we've covered a lotof ground here with these
government programs, but now Iwanna shift gears a bit and talk
about the incredible work thatnonprofit organizations are
doing.
These groups they're oftenworking with very limited
(05:48):
resources, you know.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Right.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
But the impact they
have, it's just amazing.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
It really is.
It's really heartwarming to seehow dedicated these
organizations are, thecompassion they bring to their
work.
They're not in it for the money, that's for sure.
It's all about genuinelywanting to help seniors stay in
their homes with dignity, withtheir independence intact.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Exactly, they get it.
You know, they understand thata safe and comfortable home it's
more than just walls and a roof.
It's a sanctuary, a place whereyou feel comfortable, familiar,
and they're going above andbeyond to make sure that seniors
can stay in those homes for aslong as possible.
One organization that reallystood out to me when I was doing
research for this wasRebuilding Together.
I don't know if you're familiarwith them.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Oh, absolutely.
They're an amazing organization.
They provide these free,large-scale home modifications,
and we're not just talking aboutswapping out a doorknob here.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Right.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
We're talking about
things like ramps, grab bars,
stair lifts, even the kinds ofchanges that can make a world of
difference in a senior's life,how they experience their home
every day.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
It's incredible to
think that something as simple
as a grab bar in the bathroomcan be so transformative, but
it's true.
It can be the differencebetween feeling confident and
independent at home and feelingafraid, unsure of yourself.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Absolutely, and I
love that they look at the whole
picture.
You know they don't just focuson one area of the home.
They think about the entireliving space and try to identify
anything that could bedangerous or any area where
modifications could make thingssafer, easier for people to get
around.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I remember reading
about this woman I think her
name was Sarah who was about tomove into assisted living
because she couldn't get up anddown her stairs safely anymore.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Oh no.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yeah, but then,
rebuilding Together, stepped in,
they installed a stairlift andshe says it's like she has her
freedom back.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
That's incredible.
I love hearing stories likethat.
It really shows you the powerof these organizations.
They're not just fixing uphouses, they're rebuilding lives
.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Yeah, exactly.
And then there's Habitat forHumanity, which I'm sure a lot
of people are familiar with.
Most people associate them withbuilding homes from the ground
up, which is incredible, ofcourse, but a lot of their local
chapters have started doingsenior specific repairs as well,
which is something that noteveryone knows.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Oh, that's right, I
remember reading about that.
So even if they're not buildinga brand new house for you, they
still might be able to helpwith those essential
modifications that make itpossible to age in place.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Exactly, and they
often have great relationships
with local contractors andsuppliers, so they can usually
get discounts and make yourbudget stretch even further
that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
So it's always worth
reaching out to your local
Habitat for Humanity chapterjust to see what they offer in
your area absolutely.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
And, you know, don't
discount those smaller community
organizations and faith-basedgroups either.
They might not have the sameresources as a big national
organization, but they oftenhave so much heart and they're
always eager to help out withsmaller projects.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
That's so true.
Sometimes it's those smallergestures that make the biggest
difference.
I think it's important toremember that we can tap into
that community spirit.
You're not alone in thisjourney, so we've uncovered a
goldmine of resources today.
You know everything, from thesegovernment programs to these
nonprofits that are sopassionate about helping seniors
make their homes work for them.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
It really is
encouraging.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
It is, but I also
know that you know all this talk
about eligibility andapplications.
It can be a little overwhelming, right?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Oh, absolutely.
It's easy to feel intimidatedby all the paperwork and stuff,
but it's important to rememberthese programs are meant to help
, not to make life harder, youknow Right exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
So let's break it
down a little for our listeners,
you know, make it a little lessintimidating.
What are some common thingsthat people should be prepared
for when they're actuallyapplying for these programs?
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Well, generally
speaking, most programs are
going to be looking for the samebasic things age, income
verification and proof that youown your home.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Okay, that makes
sense.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah, those are
pretty standard requirements
across the board.
Now, of course, the details,like the actual age cutoff or
what the income limits are,those are going to vary from one
program to the next, right?
So you definitely want to readthose guidelines really
carefully for any program you'reconsidering.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Right, don't just
assume that you know how it
works based on something youheard somewhere.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Make sure you do your
research, double check all
those details.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Absolutely.
Once you've found a fewprograms that seem like a good
fit, then it's time to gatherall the documentation.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Okay, so let's talk
paperwork for a minute.
Yeah, what kind of documentsshould people have ready to go
to make this whole process aspainless as possible?
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Well, the must haves
are usually going to be your
birth certificate, of course, soyou can prove your age, then
income statements or tax returnsto verify your income and
something to show proof ofhomeownership, so that could be
a deed, a mortgage statement,anything like that.
Again, always double checkthose specific requirements for
each program.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Right, of course.
Now this might seem obvious,but just to be clear, should
people have all of this stuffgathered up before they even
start filling out applications?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Oh, absolutely.
Being organized from the startcan save you so much time and
hassle in the long run.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
I bet I'm sure those
program administrators have seen
it all right.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Oh, I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
They must really
appreciate it when people come
prepared.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
So just a recap for
everyone listening, Research
those programs thoroughly,gather all your documents and
then you can tackle thoseapplications with confidence.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Exactly, you get this
.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
I love it.
Well, as we wrap up this deepdive, I think it's important to
remember that even small changes, things like adding a grab bar
or putting in some brighterlights these can make a huge
difference in a senior's life,and the fact that these
resources exist, that they'refree it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
It really is.
Aging in place is about morethan just staying in the same
house, you know.
It's about being comfortable inyour own home, feeling safe,
being able to keep yourindependence.
It's about being in control ofyour life and enjoying those
golden years to the fullest.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
That's beautifully
said and on that note, I'll
leave you with this finalthought what one small change
could make the biggestdifference in your home For your
safety, your happiness, yourloved one's wellbeing.
It's something to think aboutas you begin this journey of
creating a home that truly meetsyour needs.
Thanks for joining us for thisdeep bribe.
Everyone, until next time, takecare.