State Profile: Vermont
Welcome to the Vermont 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
VERMONT DISABILITIES, AGING AND INDEPENDENT LIVING (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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Choices for Care Program
Choices for Care provides a package of long-term services and supports to individuals age 18 and older who meet the nursing home level of care. Services may be received in one’s setting of choice: a participant’s home or family’s home, an Adult Family Care home, Enhanced Residential Care or a nursing facility. All individuals who receive services in a home-based option may receive home modifications. Case managers work with the individual to identify the home modifications that maintain their health, safety, wellbeing and independence at home. Covered modifications include grab bars, ramps, raised toilet seats, and widened doorways. Total purchases may not exceed $777 per calendar year per individual.
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Falls Free Vermont
The Vermont State Unit on Aging has co-chaired the statewide Falls Free Vermont coalition for the past three years, working alongside other state agencies and community-based organizations to raise awareness of falls, expand programs and resources to prevent falls (including home safety and home modifications), increase surveillance of falls, and advocate for support.
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One Touch
Through a partnership with the Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont State Unit on Aging promotes a pilot program called “One Touch” in which experts who are called to a home for weatherization are able to do a falls risk screening and make simple modifications during the visit.
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Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living Assistive Technology Program
The State Assistive Technology Grant Program, funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, supports comprehensive, statewide programs in each state that improve the provision of assistive technology (often home modification-related) to individuals with disabilities of all ages.
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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Fall Prevention Services and Resources
Many Area Agencies on Aging in Vermont offer fall prevention classes that include a focus on identifying fall risks in the environment.