Subsidized Handyman Services for Seniors: A New Era of Aging in Place

As the senior population in the U.S. continues to grow, the challenge of providing safe and supportive living environments is becoming increasingly clear. The cost of both state-run and private nursing homes is escalating, and the need for alternatives to institutional care is only increasing. In addition to the personal benefits associated with aging in place, it truly is becoming a necessity as costs rise and people live longer.

“It used to be the case that, once you turned 70 or 80, you went to live in a nursing home. Now, the vast majority of people will not relocate to a care facility unless there are specific medical reasons why they cannot stay in their homes,” said Sean Fitzgerald, president of TruBlue Home Service Ally. “Everyone else will age in place. It’s cheaper, healthier, and typically the aging adult’s preferred path forward.”

To adjust to ongoing demand, the landscape of Medicare and Medicaid is shifting, opening up to programs that include coverage for necessary services that will support aging adults in remaining safely in their homes for longer. 

”People want to age in place. The challenge they have is the environment. But senior modifications are incredibly inexpensive compared to the cost of a nursing home or care after a fall, and now, they’re even more accessible,” Fitzgerald said. “This creates space for us to get a home safe and add preventative measures to ensure a home is not dangerous to its residents.”

Fitzgerald explains that some of the most common modifications associated with these programs are things like grab bars in bathtubs and showers, easy-to-find light switches and modified entryways that accommodate mobility aids.

“Modifications make a difference for seniors. But realistically, many seniors fall or get injured because they’re doing things they really shouldn’t be,” he said. “Even if a senior has in-home care, caregivers are not permitted to move furniture, change light bulbs or clean downspouts. This work still needs to be done in the home, though, and seniors need someone who is specifically there to focus on these sorts of tasks.”

This is the heart of TruBlue Home Service Ally’s model — home maintenance.

Currently, programs like California’s CalAIM have encouraged a broadened view of what health and wellness-related care may look like, including financial support for aging adults who need safety modifications made to their homes. In the state of California, anyone over the age of 65 can receive a one-time credit of $7,500 to fund senior modifications. A couple over 65 can receive a combined $15,000 for modifications throughout the home.

“Other states offer grants to support aging-related modifications for people in need,” Fitzgerald said. “This trend toward access will continue throughout the U.S., and we’re positioned extremely well to capitalize on these opportunities because of our high standards.”

While existing programs are making a notable impact on adults in need of one-time modifications and improvements, Fitzgerald says he looks forward to seeing how similar programs can develop to support the ongoing needs of adults aging in place.

“It’s pretty easy to see how ongoing maintenance support is a great fall and injury-prevention measure for aging adults. Delivering that full continuum of care with ongoing maintenance support closes the loop,” Fitzgerald said. “Rather than taking a loved one out of a potentially dangerous environment, TruBlue makes it as safe as possible and keeps it safe through maintenance, providing the real peace of mind that families desire in a significantly cheaper, safer model.”

As programs continue to develop and aging in place gains even more momentum, subsidized handyman services are poised to play a critical role in the ongoing safety and success of the aging population. The shift from institutional care to in-home support reflects a broader societal change toward valuing independence and quality of life for seniors, and supportive programs have created a promising future for adults looking to stay in their homes safely and comfortably.

Through participation in such programs, TruBlue Home Service Ally is leveraging its proactive approach and high standards to capitalize on these emerging opportunities, placing its franchise partners and system at the forefront of the movement to ensure that aging in place is not just a concept but a viable and effective reality.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info.