New Jersey seniors seek out home modifications to age in place

With aging-in-place preferences generally dominant among older Americans, some cities and states are putting these preferences into action by providing additional support for people who want to remain in their homes.

In New Jersey, these can range from tax incentives and veterans benefits to Medicaid, according to a recent report by NorthJersey.com.

The so-called “silver tsunami” — referring to the explosive projected population growth of older Americans relative to younger ones — is forcing decisions about what a person’s later years will look like.

For those who may be shut out of options like assisted living or congregate care, aging in place comes with potential viability from a financial perspective — and a market opportunity for some companies.

“I think it’s absolutely critical to have seniors stay comfortable in their home as long as possible, because the data shows that there are better health outcomes,” Liz Rabban, co-owner of New Jersey-based TruBlue Home Service Ally, told the outlet.

She added that the ability to construct a support system for ensuring a person’s comfort in their home is key. Simply finding a contractor who can functionally accomplish the work may not be enough, but sourcing someone who will put in the time to truly understand the person’s needs is vital for longer-term success.

Linda Pollock, owner of North Jersey Home Maintenance Group, told the outlet that adequate training for age-related home modification projects is an essential piece of the overall puzzle.

“There are companies out there that say they do Aging in Place services but don’t have the training to really understand what seniors and individuals with disabilities really need,” Pollock told NorthJersey.com.

“My goal is not to get rich on any individual client. I don’t charge very much for my services because I want people to be safe and it’s a true passion of mine.”

Financing the modifications can be an issue, depending on the amount of work there is to do. Simple renovations can range from $100 to $200, but bigger projects can easily go into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Tom Beck of Mobility 123 explained that in addition to tax incentives, Medicaid programs, private insurance and veterans’ benefits, New Jersey also offers location-specific assistance options.

“In New Jersey, Medicaid typically covers about $5,000 for something like a stair lift and recently increased coverage to about $15,000 for prescribed needs,” he told the outlet. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) “also offers grants for veterans, even if disabilities are not service-related.”

Nationally, tax deductions from the IRS include one for modifications that are “medically necessary,” which could include lights, grab bars or lower countertops.

Medicaid coverage varies by state, Beck said, but in New Jersey there is an option to make use of the Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program.

Other states have also launched their own dedicated aging-in-place programs.

In Iowa, Polk County has launched one that’s supported by federal funds, with advocates expecting positive community impact. Alaska is also conscious of the desire for people to remain in their homes, and it recently offered a series of tips that could permit someone to more easily age in place.