Overview of what to look for when assessing your home for fall hazards and what changes you can make to make your home safer and more accessible. Also, universal design suggestions. Overview of what government programs are available to fund your home renovation for accessibility.

1. Safety and Accessibility
Today and Tomorrow
Matthew Longman, RMT, CAPS

2. Certified Aging In Place Specialist
CAPS certification provides the skills and knowledge to help
homeowners remain in their homes safely, independently and
comfortably as they age.
Registered Massage Therapist
CEO of Aquassure Accessible Baths
Designing accessible bathroom fixtures for over a decade.
Provides accessible bathing solutions to enhance the quality
of life for individuals who can no longer bathe independently
or safely using traditional bathing equipment..
Matthew Longman, RMT, CAPS

3. Aging in Place
Planning & Assessment
Suggested modifications
Suggestions for bathroom safety
Accessories
Types of Funding Available for Renovations
Questions
Overview

4. Clients don’t need to move from their homes
to accommodate changing needs.
There are attractive design solutions that
create a safe, comfortable environment for
individuals who want to age in place.
Renovations are less expensive than Assisted
Living – Average cost $3427/month.
Range $900/month single subsidized-
$5000/month/person.(up to $9K for LTC)
Aging In Place

5. 21 will have some sort of arthritis
17 will have some sort of respiratory challenge
7 will have diabetes
5 will have orthopedic issues, esp. hip and knee
3 will have residual effects from a stroke
3 will have a progressive disease like
MS, ALS, Parkinsons, or dementia.
Plus some with brain and spinal cord injuries.
(as per CDC National Centre for Health Statistics in the US)
Out of 100 People…

6. Life expectancy is 82.7 years for women and 78 years
for men.
4.4 million Canadians have a disability. 54% of men and
57.8% of women over 75 years have a disability.
Most people can expect 10 years of
disability in their lifetime.
Demographics

7. In Canada, falls are the most common cause
(85%) of injury-related hospital admissions
among 65+
33% of 65+ seniors falls each year.
66% of fall victims will fall again within six
months.
The risk of falling quadruples for the first two
weeks after discharge from hospital.
Men are more likely than women to die from a
fall. Fall death rate is 40% higher for men than
for women.
Falls.

8. 20-30% of people who fall suffer moderate to
severe injuries such as lacerations, hip
fractures, or head traumas.
These injuries can make it hard to get around or
live independently, and increase the risk of early
death.
Each year in BC, 3,100 seniors will break their
hips. 2/3 of these are women. Most are
permanently disabled and will require use of a
mobility aid for walking.
People 75+ who fall are four to five times more
likely than those age 65 to 74 to be admitted to
a long-term care facility for a year or longer
Falls Continued.

9. One third of falls are
directly related to
environmental
hazards in the home.

10. Assess your home for hazards
Build new homes with universal design
principals to make it more accessible, usable,
flexible and adaptable for use by all, regardless
of size, mobility, shape, abilities or age.
Plan renovations for both current and future
use.
Don’t wait to renovate until it is too late. Make
changes BEFORE you or your loved one has a
catastrophic fall.
Make changes while you can enjoy them.
What can you do?

11. Go through the home using the
checklist provided and identify areas
that present problems or that may
present problems in the next 10 years
given currently diagnosed or likely
medical or disability issues.
Home Assessment

12. Inability to get legs over edge of tub easily
Inability to get out of a deep soak spa tub
Using sliding glass doors for stability or
balance.
Using unsafe bathtub or shower features
Lawn chair instead of bath seat
Using unsecured bath or shower seat to
grab onto
Grabbing fixtures or towel racks instead of
grab bars.
(UofM Health System Researchers.)
Common Bathroom Safety Issues

13. Equipment:
Canes and Walkers, Wheelchairs
(manual or powered), lifts, scooters.
Sensory:
Vision, Hearing, Touch, Smell, Balance, C
oordination, Endurance.
Cognitive concerns:
Alertness, Memory, Spatial Awareness
Consider current and future situation:

14. Budget or Time Constraints
Actual activities.
Anticipated length of need.
Future plans for home.
Existing space or structural limitations
Other Considerations:

15. Barrier-free front entrance and ground floor 3-piece
bathroom with wheelchair accessibility.
Higher toilets
Full-block walls in bathrooms for future grab bars
Wider doorways, stairs and hallways.
Lower light switches and higher outlets. Better controls
like timers, dimmers and motion sensors.
Adequate heating and cooling.
Adaptable or barrier-free showers.
Lever handle door knobs and sink fixture controls.
Better lighting and reduction of glare.
Universal Design Suggestions:

16. Composite

17. Tile can be too hard and cold, but can be treated for
non-slip and in-floor heating is option.
Carpet – trip hazard, but does muffle sound.
Equipment can wear some types of flooring quickly.
Linoleum and hardwood better for falls, but may not
wear as well as tile.
Watch for bad acoustics to downstairs apartments
when replacing carpet with hard surface flooring.
Ramps can be used to ease passage over thresholds.
Flooring

18. Grab Bars
Higher Toilets
Wall mount sinks and cabinets
Lever-handled faucets and doors
Temperature controls (Anti-scald systems)
Turn down hot water tank
Bidet seats
Non-slip flooring
Good lighting / night lights
Accessible bathing equipment & fixtures
Bathroom Accessibility and Safety

19. Budget
Bathing preference: shower vs. bath
Water immersion for circulation and spasticity
How long do you expect to be in the home?
Aesthetics
Resale
Space available
Mobility and future mobility
Owning vs. renting.
Bathroom equipment considerations

20. Bath Seats
Bath Lifts
Tub Cuts
Grab Bars
Barrier-free or
convertible showers
Walk in bathtubs
Slide in bathtubs.
Accessible Bathroom Equipment

21. Bath Lifts, Transfer Seats and Tubcuts

23. Water stopper and Semi-permanent threshold
Quick conversion to respond quickly to health and
lifestyle changes
Can support a shower door
Reversible
Maintains resale value
Lifetime Shower System

24. Walk-in Tubs

25. Walk-in
Tubs –
Designer
Feel

26. Active Living Spa (ADL)

27. Slide-in Tubs – Designer Feel

29. Grab Bars are available in
a wide range of colours,
finishes, sizes and styles.
Accessories: Grab Bars
GLOW IN THE
DARK!

30. Fold Down
Padded, Phenolic or Wood
Wall mount with Adjustable Feet
Can be powder coated
Accessories: Seats

31. Accessories: Ramps
Ramps can be used for door thresholds and
entrances up to 5”

32. Accessories: Step Cote
Do-it-yourself anti-slip kit for
ALL tubs and showers.
Permanent non-slip coating
that can be applied to your
shower or bathtub to make it
non-slip.
Dries clear, no order, non-
toxic, easy to apply, no
fumes.

33. Dual Purpose Accessories

34. Self:
Savings, Credit Card, Personal Loan
Seniors Home Renovation Tax Credit
Medical Tax Credit
Reverse Mortgage
BC Housing Home Adaptions for
Independence Grant.
Funding Renovations

35. Refundable tax
65+, or shared home with someone 65+
Assists with the costs of permanent home
renovations for seniors so that they can
remain in the home longer.
10% of eligible expenses up to a maximum
of $1000 ($10,000 worth of renovations).
If you spend $12,000 renovating your home to make it
more accessible, then you could claim a $1000 Tax Credit
12,000 x 10% = $1200.00, but the maximum you can claim is
$1000.00.
Seniors Home Renovation Tax Credit

36. Prescription needed that says you need
equipment to help to get in or out of a
bathtub or shower or to get on or off
the toilet.
Claim part of the expense not claimed
on the Senior Home Renovation Tax
Credit.
Reduces taxes owed (in most cases)
Medical Tax Credit

37. Must be 55+
Access equity in the home to finance renovations.
Up to 50% of market value
No payments until both you and your spouse
leave the home.
Amount repaid is not more than fair market value.
Does not count as income.
You still own your home and remaining equity is
yours
Ask your mortgage broker for details.
Reverse Mortgage

38. The Home Adaptations for
Independence (HAFI) program provides
financial assistance to help eligible low-
income seniors and people with
disabilities in BC to continue to live in
the comfort of their home.
Up to $20,000 in home renovations in a
non-repayable grant
Must meet requirements to qualify
BC Housing HAFI Grant

39. Qualifications vary by Geographic Location
Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country - $399,999
Max home value as per last BC Assessment
Income based on household composition: Single
or couple – Max income $31,500
Household assets must be less than $100,000
(not including
home, RRSPs, RESPs, RDSPs, vehicle) and you are
unable to finance the requested adaptions.
HAFI - Qualifications

40. Ramps, lifts and elevators
Grab bars, handrails, lever controls, handles
Switches, controls and plugs to accessible locations.
Lighting, reflective strips, contrasting colours.
Floor coverings, non-slip, non-trip.
Cupboards, sinks, counters and controls in kitchen and
bathroom.
Layout changes , including extensions, doorway widening
and moving fixtures.
Accessible bathtub or shower, higher toilets, bidet
seat, wall mount sinks and cabinets. Anti-scald devices.
Alarms and multi-sensory warning systems.
Eligible Adaptions

41. Replacement of windows
Repairs to or maintenance of heating system
Portable air conditioner, air
purifier, dehumidifier.
Extensions or conversions for recreational or
office space.
Upgrading existing plumbing systems.
Emergency repairs.
Non-permanent adaptions or portable aids
Not Eligible for HAFI

42. Review your eligibility.
Review list of eligible adaptions.
Get 1-3 quotes depending on estimated dollar value of
renovation. Quotes from companies for different parts
of job ok, but make sure apples to apples.
Gather supporting documents. (bank statements, BC
Assessment, investment summaries, last year’s tax
returns, proof of residency)
Complete the homeowner or landlord application.
Submit paperwork to BC Housing
Follow up in 2 weeks with BC Housing.
How to Apply

43. HAFI Questions
Landlords can also apply on behalf of renters.
Is the assistance repayable?
No, if you live in your home for 1-3 years after
renovation or if landlords limit rent increases for 5
years.
HAFI not available on reserve lands for
anyone, however Status Indians can apply for similar
funding through CMHC

44. http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Home_Re
novations
1-800-257-7756
They will not tell you if you are eligible over
the phone, but will answer specific questions
about eligibility.
They have the final decision, but you can
appeal within 30 days.
BC Housing.

45. Thank you!
Matthew Longman
250-878-0409 (cell) or 1-866-404-8827
mlongman@aquassure.com
Aquassure Staff:
Shari – smcdowell@aquassure.com
Brook – marketing@aquassure.com
Corina – sales@aquassure.com
Questions?