State Profile: Alabama
Welcome to the Alabama State Profile Page! This page features a sample of survey and research results from a comprehensive review of state and local home modification activities across the country. It has a special focus on the aging population and the efforts of State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and Native American aging service programs that are funded by the Older Americans Act Title VI Grants for Indian Tribal Organizations.
Check back as new updates will be posted periodically! Have any changes or additions? Please contact homemods@usc.edu
SPOTLIGHT ON STATE LEVEL HOME MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state's important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
This report by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and ADvancing States reports on a national survey
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES (State Unit on Aging)
State Units on Aging (SUAs) are designated state-level agencies that develop and administer state plans that advocate for and provide assistance, including home modifications or repairs, to older residents, their families, and adults with physical disabilities. SUAs administer funds, including Older Americans Act funds, which may be used to support home modification or repair services through local Area Agencies on Aging and other state and local entities.
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Alabama Cares Program
Under the Alabama Cares Program, Caregivers Supplemental Services, caregivers may qualify on a limited basis for incontinent supplies, minor home modifications, assistive technology, and emergency response alarms to family caregivers.
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Home and Community-Based Services for the Alabama Community Transition (ACT) Waiver
This Medicaid Waiver, operated by the Alabama Department of Senior Services, provides services to individuals with disabilities or long term illnesses who currently live in a nursing facility and desire to transition to the home and community setting. The code provides home modifications for physical adaptations of the home required by the individual’s Plan of Care. The limit on home modification is $15,000 per waiver participant and the state coordinator must approve any expenditure in excess of the maximum allowed amount and the Medicaid designated personnel.
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Home and Community-Based Waiver for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
This Medicaid Waiver, operated by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, provides services including home modifications to intellectually disabled adults and children who would otherwise qualify for care in an intermediate care facility for the intellectually disabled. Environmental accessibility adaptation services may include those to accommodate medical equipment and supplies necessary for the welfare of the waiver recipient (e.g., installation of ramps and grab bars, widening of doorways, modifications of bathroom facilities, or installation of specialized electric and plumbing systems).
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State of Alabama Independent Living Waiver Program
This Medicaid Waiver, operated by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, provides support to adults 18 years or older with a disability who have specific medical diagnoses and would otherwise qualify for care in a nursing care facility. Supportive Services include environmental accessibility adaptations.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL HOME MODIFICATION EFFORTS
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state's important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
This Data Brief highlights key findings from the 2019 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging on how Area Agencies on Aging are providing and funding home modification and repair activities. It was developed by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging as part of the Administration for Community Living project, “Promoting Aging in Place by Enhancing Access to Home Modifications.”
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Preventative Services
The Central Alabama Aging Consortium Preventative Services focus on helping older adults remain safe, active, and independent in their communities. Its Home Modification program improves safety and accessibility by installing features such as grab bars, ramps, shower chairs, and motion-sensor lighting to support aging in place. The Consortium also offers evidence-based programs such as Geri-Fit, which emphasizes strength building and functional fitness, and A Matter of Balance, which aims to reduce fear of falling and increase confidence and activity levels. Together, these services promote fall prevention, physical function, and overall quality of life for older adults in Central Alabama.
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Neighbors for Seniors Program
The Neighbors for Seniors Program assists older adults and individuals with disabilities who are on a fixed income with home safety improvements and home repairs critical to their health. Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA) connects clients with groups and individuals who donate time, skills and money to complete the needed home projects. Since the program started in 2015, more than 300 individuals have been assisted. This includes persons that not only were assisted with home repairs and yard work, but were recipients of air conditioners, heaters and fans. Due to the skillset of most volunteers, projects are limited to minor home repairs, such as ramps, grab bars, and handrails. The program has a dedicated volunteer to oversee ramp construction, which allows volunteers with lower skill levels to assist in the builds. Donations from the community cover the cost of the projects.