Senior Program Specialist, Center for Healthy Aging National Council on Aging Arlington, Virginia
This session will explore the many ways housing professionals can participate in home modification coalitions, and the benefits of coalition participation. Coalitions include members from different sectors involved in home modification, such as contractors, housing non-profits, senior housing, home improvement and hardware stores, aging service providers, health professionals, and more. Working together, coalitions can identify older adults' needs in their communities and conduct activities to address those needs - from raising community awareness, to providing home assessments, to advocating with policymakers for increased home modification programming and funding. Coalition members can learn from each other, share resources, learn best practices, and use this information to educate their clients. Educating clients demonstrates that you are a trusted source of information and can help your business stand out from the rest. It also increases individuals' and families' awareness of the availability of services and programs in their community that can support safety, independence, and community living. Coalitions have the power to bring about change in their communities, far beyond what one organization could accomplish alone.
Learning Objectives:
By attending this session, attendees will:
Explain how local coalitions can effectively identify and address priority needs among older adults in their communities.
List and describe at least three benefits of participating in a home modification coalition for housing professionals.
Articulate the importance of raising community awareness about the benefits of home modification and that a range of programs and funding sources are available in most communities.
