State Profile: California
Welcome to the California 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
STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF AGING (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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Older Americans Act Title III-E Family Caregiver Support Program: Supplemental Services – Minor Home Modifications
The Family Caregiver Support Program is designed to address the needs of informal, unpaid family caregivers through supportive services. Services may include minor modifications of homes that are necessary to facilitate the ability of caregivers and care recipients to remain at home and that are not available under other programs.
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California Community Transitions (CCT)
California’s version of the federal Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration program is known as California Community Transitions. Its goal is to facilitate a safe and successful transition from an institutional setting back to the community. The services provided include home modification, up to $7,500 maximum per lifetime.
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Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver
This Medicaid Waiver program provides care management services via a nurse and social worker team to persons who are at risk for nursing home or institutional placement. The care management team coordinates Waiver and State Plan services, such as medically necessary environmental accessibility adaptations, and arranges for other available long-term services and supports available in the local community.
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Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for the Developmentally Disabled (HCBS-DD)
This Medicaid Waiver program provides home and community-based services to persons with developmental disabilities as an alternative to care provided in an intermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities. Services provided include environmental accessibility adaptations for individuals with a severe, chronic disability acquired before age 18.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL HOME MODIFICATION EFFORTS
How are agencies across the country responding to their communities’ home modification needs? Read about stand-out home modification efforts the aging network is conducting in this state.
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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A Matter of Balance
A Matter of Balance, an evidence-based fall prevention program, is offered by the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging. It includes classes focused on falls, fall prevention, fear of falling, and how to reduce fall risk in the home, including through home modifications. Classes are offered throughout Sonoma County.
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Age Friendly Home Adaptation Grant Program
The Age Friendly Home Adaptation Grant Program allows Sausalito homeowners or renters (with landlord permission) who are 60 years and older, or younger residents with a disability, to obtain free or reduced cost building permits. The program covers projects of up to $10,000 to improve the safety and accessibility of residences. It makes it more affordable to obtain building permits to make homes safer and more accommodating to the changing needs of Sausalito residents.
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ElderHelp Program
The ElderHelp Program helps low-income, frail older adults maintain their independence at home by providing free, short-term assistance with activities of daily living. Program services include minor home modification and repairs and are partially funded by the Older Americans Act.
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Fall Prevention Program
The Fall Prevention Program of the Contra Costa Area Agency on Aging provides in-home Occupational Therapist assessments and evaluations for older adults at risk of falls and/or of being institutionalized due to inadequacies in the home. The program also provides assistive devices and home modifications that help older adults to remain safely in their homes.