Information from Your Family Doctor

Home Adaptations for Patients with Disabilities

Am Fam Physician. 2009 Nov 1;80(9):970.

See related article on home adaptations.

Can I live at home if I have a disability?

You may be able to keep living at home if you have a disability. However, you may need to make some changes to your home so that it is easier for you to get around safely. These changes can also make it easier for your caregiver to help you.

What changes will I need?

It depends on your disability. If you have trouble seeing, it may help to have special lights or different colors in certain rooms. If you have trouble hearing, vibrating sensors can let you know when the doorbell rings or the smoke alarm goes off. Ramps and railings may make it easier for you to walk around. Your doctor can help you choose what adaptations you need and refer you to specialists in home modifications. It is also helpful to talk about any changes with caregivers and family members.

How do I pay for them?

Making changes to your home can be expensive but may cost less than moving to a different living situation. There are many options for paying for these changes. Some government agencies give out loans or grants. If your disability is from an accident, you may be able to use money from your insurance or worker's compensation.

Where can I get more information?

General Resources:

AARP Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists

Web site: http://www.aarp.org/families/home_design/rate_home/a2004-03-23-caps.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/index.html

Practical Guide to Universal Design

Web site: http://www.uiowa.edu/infotech/universalhomedesign.pdf

U.S. Rehab: Certified Environmental Access Consultants

Web site: http://www.usrehab.com/ceac

Funding Resources:

Medicaid: Home & Community Based Services

Web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HCBS/01_Overview.asp

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Web site: http://www.n4a.org/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Web site: http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm

This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Copyright © 2009 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Contact afpserv@aafp.org for copyright questions and/or permission requests.