State Profile: Maine
Welcome to the Maine 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 MAINE AGING AND DISABILITY 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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Maine Family Caregiver Support Program: Care Partner Supports
The programs and services described below allow care partners the time to do things other than providing care, such as: practicing self-care, running errands, visiting family members and friends, going to medical/dental appointments, and resting.
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Home Care
This program provides supportive community services to older adults and adults with disabilities in order to avoid or delay nursing home placement including environmental modifications,
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Adults with Brain Injury
This program is for individuals 18 years and older who have sustained an acquired brain injury due to an insult to the brain resulting directly or indirectly from trauma, infection, anoxia, or vascular lesions, and not of a degenerative or congenital nature. The waiver provides services such as environmental adaptations that support community living.
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Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disability and/or Autism
This program help Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and/or Autism strive to live as independently as possible. A range of services and supports are available to help them achieve this goal — in their homes, in the community, and in the workplace.
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.”
1
EZ Fix Program
The EZ Fix Program helps older adults and adults with disabilities to remain safely in their homes by providing minor home repair, housekeeping, and in-home technology training and services throughout rural Eastern Maine. Initially, Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA) recognized that low-income seniors were struggling to keep their homes repaired and established a volunteer-based program to address these needs. When it became apparent that seniors also faced challenges keeping their homes clean, per-diem housekeepers were hired. To fund the program beyond the Bangor area, EAAA started a fee-for-service version of the program to assist over-income clients who previously could not participate. This revenue is put back into the program to fund low-income services across more than 13,000 square miles of rural Maine. Revenue comes from client fees, private grants, and fundraising.
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Home Safety Assessment Service
The Home Safety Assessment Service of the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging provides home assessments which include a detailed review of a consumer’s home (all livable space, storage, basement, garage, and grounds surrounding the home). A report results in a written home assessment of simple home changes, products to aid safety, and modification specialist resources.