Webinar: Assistive Technology for Age-Friendly Communities

Program Description

woman using digital magnifierRecorded: December 2, 2020 – In recent years, AARP has promoted the development of Age Friendly Communities (AFC) to encourage local officials and citizens to implement changes that make their communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. As the state with the largest percent of older adults in the country, the efforts in Maine are noteworthy.

Join us for a presentation on Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services in Maine. AT can be essential to making your home, community and public spaces accessible and impact the health, safety and independence of older adults who want to continue to live at home. The presenters will share a variety of AT devices, smart home tech and home modifications that help to make your home more age-friendly. AT Resources and information about paying for AT will also be explored.

Presenters

Ketra CrossonKetra S. Crosson, OTR/L – Ketra is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and is a licensed Occupational Therapist with over 30 years of experience in developing and providing independent living options for people with disabilities. She provides such services as access design consultation, independent living skills assessment and training, assistive technology consultation, job accommodation assessments, and on-farm assessments with farmers with disabilities.

John E BrandtJohn Brandt – John is the Training Coordinator for the Maine CITE Coordinating Center and qualifies as a “senior” living in a “smart home.”

 

Resources

Websites and resources mentioned during the webinar:

Funding for Home Repair and Home Access

Rural Development Maine

  • For live in homeowners with income less than 50 percent of the area median income
  • Loans and Grants to remove health and safety hazards
  • Grants up to $7200 for those over age 62 who cannot pay back a loan

Home Access and Repair grant program

  • Funded by Maine Housing, available through Community Action Programs
  • For live in homeowners with income less than 80 percent of the area median income

Community Aging in Place Grant

  • No-cost home safety checks, minor maintenance repairs, and accessibility modifications to eligible low-income elderly and disabled homeowners.
  • For live in homeowners age 55+ with income less than 80 percent of area median income
  • Partner organizations include housing authorities and Community Action Agencies.  Program hoping to go statewide.
  • Maine Housing is eager to take the Community Aging in Place Grant program statewide ASAP.  Had hoped to do this in 2020, but due to COVID-19 needed to turn efforts to emergency housing needs.  Partners are typically housing authorities or CAPs that have experience in housing.  Contact Maine Housing if you would like to foster a partnership in the missing regions.  Clyde Barr cbarr@mainehousing.org   207-624-5772.

 

 

Rev: 12/08/2020