WILMINGTON, Ohio — Older adult homeowners in Clinton County may be eligible for no-cost home repairs and safety modifications through the Clinton County Older Adults Home Modification Program, according to a news release.

The program is funded by a $1.25 million grant awarded to Council on Aging (COA) by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. All $1.25 million will be used in Clinton County.

Long-time Wilmington resident Sharon Boatman benefited from the program. Boatman enjoys spending time with her children and granddaughters and participating in activities offered by her local senior center.

At 80-years-old, she appreciates being able to live in the condo she and her husband, Roger, purchased in 2007 after his congestive heart failure made it difficult to maintain their home. He passed away in 2015.

Although Boatman’s condo is one level and she doesn’t have to navigate stairs, other hazards became a concern as she grew older, and her legs weakened. It gradually became more difficult for her to stand up from a seated position. She also is unsteady at times from what she believes is an inner ear issue and has a tendency to run into walls. “I’ve always walked a bit sideways,” she said.

Boatman’s daughter told her about the Clinton County Older Adults Home Modification Program, which provides no-cost home modifications to county residents who are 62 and older, own their home and its land and meet income guidelines.

“Most fall-related injuries occur at home,” said Council on Aging CEO Suzanne Burke. “This grant is helping us complete home repairs and safety modifications that will prevent falls and other at-home injuries or accidents. It’s helping Clinton County older adults continue to live safely and independently in their home for as long as possible.”

After she was referred to the program, an occupational therapist (OT) visited Boatman in her condo to evaluate her environment and her physical needs. The OT recommended safety modifications to Boatman’s two bathrooms, including grab bars to assist her with shower access and raised toilet chairs with arms to help her stand up. “I was using the counter, but that got slippery,” Boatman said.

A COA-approved, local service provider installed these items, as well as a handle at her front door to help her more easily and safely enter her condo.

Boatman feels more self-sufficient since her modifications were installed and said, “I’d tell others that the program really helps, and we seniors need all the help we can get. I’d recommend it to anybody.”

“Sometimes we seniors don’t really realize who to go to for things like this,” she said.

Council on Aging is currently enrolling eligible county residents in the Clinton County Older Adult Home Modification Program. The program is open to:

Clinton County residents age 62 and over who own and reside in their own home

Those with an annual household income of (counting all household members):

$44,000 or less for a single-person household

$50,250 or less for a two-person household

$56,550 or less for a three-person household

$62,800 or less for a four-person household

For details and to apply, visit www.help4seniors.org/cchomemods or call (937) 584-7200.

About Council on Aging

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. COA promotes choice, independence, dignity and well-being through a range of services that help people remain independent for as long as possible.

COA is a state-designated Area Agency on Aging serving Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities.