Home Modification Services Now Available for Low-Income Hoosiers

Home modifications are a critical part of aging in place for seniors and living with independence for people with disabilities. Modifications can include a multitude of adjustments such as ramps, roll-in showers, widened doors, better lighting, or lever door handles and are designed to increase the ease of use, safety and independence in a home.

For many in Indiana home modifications to remodel an established home are out of reach due to the expense.  Sherry Parks found herself in just that situation and she knew that she needed a ramp and a few other minor home modifications or her brother was not going to be allowed to return home from the rehabilitation center. Lloyd had lost his leg to diabetes and required dialysis several times a week for his kidneys.  While Sherry wanted to be Lloyd’s caregiver she knew she needed some help.  “I just didn’t know where to turn until I was referred to Attain.” 

Attain, with the help of a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, launched a new home modification program in November of 2004 that will help families just like Sherry’s. After asking qualified contractors to bid on the project Creative Home Contractors, LLC began work just before Thanksgiving. The weather was uncooperative and caused several delays in the project, but Ron Swain and Joe Belitz of Creative Home Contractors worked through the mud and the Thanksgiving weekend to complete the job on time. In addition to the ramp at the front of the home, grab bars and extended double hinges were added to the interior to make the bath more accessible. “The house is ready for Lloyd to come home and we feel blessed,” Sherry said. 

With help from community organizations Attain will continue to seek applicants and contractors to expand the program.  The program serves seniors and people with disabilities in Indiana that would not be able to afford the modifications otherwise and need to change their environment for safety, mobility, or other related reasons. If you or someone you know needs help with home modifications please contact Attain at 317-486-8808 or email at attaininfo@attaininc.org for more information.

Sherry Parks with Ron and Joe from Creative Home Contractors, LLC

The completed ramp for the first Attain Home Modification