Universal Design, Aging in Place & Accessibility Resource Links
Atlanta Home Modifications has compiled information and resources that may be helpful to you regarding assistive technology (such as ramps and stair lifts), universal design, aging in place home modifications, funding resources and home assessments.
Here you will find:
- Safety Guidelines and Checklists
- Home Modification and Universal Design
- Financing Resources
- Assistive Technology
- Disability Resources
- Aging Resources
Paying for Your Stair Lifts: Medicare Benefits and other Financial Assistance
Does Medicare Pay for a Stair Lift?
We have frequently been asked over the years whether Medicare pays for a stair lift. Unfortunately for our increasingly expanding elder population, they do not. Stair lift customers who are unable to afford a lift frequently rely upon extended family, friends or even their church family to help with the approximately $3200 cost of a straight stair lift.
“Medicare supplemental insurance policies also do not cover stair lifts. These policies are intended to help with co-payments and deductibles for goods and services covered by Medicare. Since, Medicare does not help, neither would a Supplemental or Medigap policy.” says Payingforseniorcare.com.
Medicaid Coverage – Medicaid Home and Community Based Services
Home and community-based services enable targeted populations groups who are Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services in their own home or community. These programs particularly serve people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental illnesses.
The Veteran’s Administration will often finance assistive technology such as a stair lift.
Assistance for Veterans: The Veteran’s Administration
The Veteran’s Administration(VA) provides stair lift funding for veterans. The VA has a few different options available to fund your “stair glide,” as they’re called by the organization.You can also check out the Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services which gives veterans of all ages the opportunity to receive the Home and Community Based Services they need. More information is available at the US Department of Veteran Affairs website.
Tools for Life – Georgia’s Assisitive Technology Program
Tools for Life – Georgia’s Assisitive Technology Program is located at 512 Means St. Suite 250, Atlanta, GA and telephone is (800) 497-8665. Their website is http://www.gatfl.org/ Information about assistive technology funding in Georgia is available at http://gatfl.gatech.edu/#jQueryUITabs1-4
The Center for Financial Independence & Innovation, Inc.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals (and family members of) individuals with disabilities to increase security and financial independence. An Atlanta-based organization that helps to finance assistive technology, The Center for Financial Independence & Innovation address is 315 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 600, Decatur, GA 30030. The telephone number is 404-541-9005. The website is www.thecfii.org
Credit-Able (AFP) Program
Call 404-541-9005 and select the extension for the credit-able consumer liaison, Daphne Brookins. It is located at 1419 Mayson Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324. The website for Credit-Able (AFP) Program is http://www.thecfii.org/
Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment for Veterans information is available at the Palmer Lake website. If you are a veteran, the Veteran’s Administration can be contacted at https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/
gTRADE, Georgia’s Online Equipment Exchange
gTRADE, Georgia’s Online Equipment Exchange encourages members to offer assisitive technology and DME for sale or donation to others who may benefit from using technology unneeded by others.
FODAC
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) is Georgia’s statewide provider of home health and durable medical equipment. FODAC has distributed 20,000 wheelchairs and thousands of other pieces of DME since 1986. Internationally, 65 countries have received some equipment over those years.
AT Depot Co-op: The Georgia AT Depot is a state-wide buying cooperative for assistive technology for customers in the state of Georgia. The website is at http://www.gatfl.gatech.edu/tflwiki/index.php?title=AT_Depot
The Dollars and Sense Assistive Technology Funding database is for use by individuals (or advocates of ) individuals with disabilities, to gather funding sources and service providers that match the user’s individual assistive technology funding needs. This database may be accessed at http://gatfl.gatech.edu/ds/search.php
Additional resources include:
The National Public Website on Assistive Technology
Friends of Disabled Adults (And Children Too)
Disability Resources – Georgia
Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment for Veterans
Video Link to ALS Home Modifications: ALS Home Modifications and Lift Systems Video Link
Safety Guidelines and Checklists
Home Safety Assessments For Seniors
Home Modification and Universal Design
University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology
The Center for Universal Design at No. Carolina State Univ
Financing Resources
Housing and Community Development Agencies
The Center for Financial Independence & Innovation
Resources by Medical Condition
Mesothelioma Prognosis Network – Information about Mesothelioma facts, treatment, care centers and care financing.
Disability Resources
Americans with Disabilities Act
American Foundation for the Blind
Georgia Disability Resources List
Joni and Friends (International Disability Center)
Aging Resources
Georgia Division of Aging Services
Elder Care Resources
ElderCareMatters “America’s #1 online source for Elder Care Experts plus information & answers about a wide range of elder care matters”.
