The idea of Saving Grace Alliance came about after watching, over many years, how the public responded to disasters, and appropriately, opened their hearts to children and pets and many other facets of survivors, but no one seemed to be reaching out to our Senior community, specifically. Knowing well the research - that heat waves, storms, flooding, fires and other extreme events can be devastating and affect the older adult particularly hard, we decided that the specific differences of Senior adults, and their needs absolutely needed to be addressed - and met - and Saving Grace stepped up to do just that.
We know our Seniors - we know they won't ask for anything - ever - even if it means their own life may be sacrificed. This brought about our desire to recognize, uplift and honor our Senior population before and after disaster. This effort is not only needed, but more appropriately, it is our duty to honor those who brought us to where we are today - it is our honor to do so.
If you're interested in coming aboard as a volunteer, please let us know! Send us a note to: volunteer@savinggracealliance.org
3 Resources for Making a Senior-Friendly Home
Get Informed About Your Options:
A good first step in making your house senior-friendly is to do a home assessment. Go through your house, room by room, as if you've never set foot in it before, looking for problem areas like potential tripping or slipping hazards and areas that are hard to access. There are various organizations that offer published lists of questions to ask and things to look for to identify problems.
You can access directly at, homeneedschecklist.org, a number of online checklists including one called "How Well Does Your Home Meet Your Needs?". Or, download and print off the National Caregivers Library "Home Modification Checklist."
AARP also has an excellent resource called "The AARP Home Fit Guide" that provides a checklist and tips to keep your home safe and livable as you age. Access it at homefitguide.org, or call AARP at, 888-687-2277 and ask them to mail you a free copy.
Personalized Advice Options:
For more personalized help, consider getting a professional in-home assessment.
One option for this, is to utilize an occupational therapist, or OT. They can evaluate the challenges and shortcomings of your home, make modification recommendations and refer you to products and services to help you make improvements. Physical therapy clinics can referral an OT in your area. Your local Senior Agency can also help you find nearby therapists, and many health insurance providers, including Medicare, will pay for a home assessment by an OT if prescribed by your doctor. However, they will not cover the physical upgrades to the home.
A second option is to contact a builder who's a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. These folks can suggest ways to modify your home that will fit your needs and budget. To locate one, go to the National Association of Home Builders website at nahb.org/hireacaps where you can search by state and zip code.
Home Modification Ideas:
There are many small, simple things you can do to make your home more user-friendly as you age. A few of these ideas are -
** Secure throw rugs with double-sided tape to avoid tripping
** Install brighter full-spectrum bulbs in existing light fixtures to improve visibility
** Add grab bars to the bathroom and long hallways for support
** Replace the tub with a walk-in shower for easier entry and exit decreasing chances of falling
** Lastly, a bigger more extensive project like installing a stair-lift or elevator for multi-floor access can decrease falls and increase confidence
Here’s to you, and your continued safety and health!
We know our Seniors - we know they won't ask for anything - ever - even if it means their own life may be sacrificed. This brought about our desire to recognize, uplift and honor our Senior population before and after disaster. This effort is not only needed, but more appropriately, it is our duty to honor those who brought us to where we are today - it is our honor to do so.
If you're interested in coming aboard as a volunteer, please let us know! Send us a note to: volunteer@savinggracealliance.org
3 Resources for Making a Senior-Friendly Home
Get Informed About Your Options:
A good first step in making your house senior-friendly is to do a home assessment. Go through your house, room by room, as if you've never set foot in it before, looking for problem areas like potential tripping or slipping hazards and areas that are hard to access. There are various organizations that offer published lists of questions to ask and things to look for to identify problems.
You can access directly at, homeneedschecklist.org, a number of online checklists including one called "How Well Does Your Home Meet Your Needs?". Or, download and print off the National Caregivers Library "Home Modification Checklist."
AARP also has an excellent resource called "The AARP Home Fit Guide" that provides a checklist and tips to keep your home safe and livable as you age. Access it at homefitguide.org, or call AARP at, 888-687-2277 and ask them to mail you a free copy.
Personalized Advice Options:
For more personalized help, consider getting a professional in-home assessment.
One option for this, is to utilize an occupational therapist, or OT. They can evaluate the challenges and shortcomings of your home, make modification recommendations and refer you to products and services to help you make improvements. Physical therapy clinics can referral an OT in your area. Your local Senior Agency can also help you find nearby therapists, and many health insurance providers, including Medicare, will pay for a home assessment by an OT if prescribed by your doctor. However, they will not cover the physical upgrades to the home.
A second option is to contact a builder who's a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. These folks can suggest ways to modify your home that will fit your needs and budget. To locate one, go to the National Association of Home Builders website at nahb.org/hireacaps where you can search by state and zip code.
Home Modification Ideas:
There are many small, simple things you can do to make your home more user-friendly as you age. A few of these ideas are -
** Secure throw rugs with double-sided tape to avoid tripping
** Install brighter full-spectrum bulbs in existing light fixtures to improve visibility
** Add grab bars to the bathroom and long hallways for support
** Replace the tub with a walk-in shower for easier entry and exit decreasing chances of falling
** Lastly, a bigger more extensive project like installing a stair-lift or elevator for multi-floor access can decrease falls and increase confidence
Here’s to you, and your continued safety and health!