Are you sure you want to exit? Your progress will be lost.
Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
If you're near a metropolitan area, go to a mobility device company that can sell you one. Lots of options, like ones that fold up and can be put away or carried, steel ones, permanent wooden ones, concrete, etc. Just look up 'wheelchair ramp' for your city on the internet, you'll see lots of options. For us, we used the portable, fold-up one because my mom rarely left the house. Only takes 20 seconds to put in place.
Depending on where you live and if you meet income requirements, a Rebuilding Together affiliate may be able to help. To find your local affiliate, go to rebuildingtogether.org.
There may be volunteer groups in your area that help build wheelchair ramps, especially for seniors or people with disabilities, but even if your income isn’t low there are still good options. You might try: Your local Independent Living Center County aging/disability services Veterans organizations (if applicable) Service clubs or churches Medical equipment companies that sell or rent modular ramps Home accessibility contractors You can also search for: “home accessibility contractor” “modular wheelchair ramp” or “independent living center near me”
Modular aluminum ramps are often a good long-term option because they install quickly and can sometimes be reused or resold later.
I hope this gives you a few good places to start, and I’m wishing you the best as you look into options.
Try your local department of aging or local senior services. Our doctor's clinic has a senior Medicare advocate for patients who gave me several phone numbers of people who install such. Don't give up first efforts. It took me months of phone calls to find someone.
The Lions Club built a ramp for my parents. Dad paid the cost of the material. There was no charge from the Lions Club, but he did tip them when they finished.
Ask your primary doctor for: A home safety evaluation A home modification evaluation Or a physical therapy / occupational therapy home assessment.
A PT or OT may visit the home to assess: Safe wheelchair exit/entry Stair barriers Fall risk Caregiver safety Need for durable medical equipment (DME) The therapist documents: Medical necessity Functional limitations Why a ramp is needed for safe home access.
That documentation may help support: Insurance authorization Community assistance programs Nonprofit ramp services Veterans benefits (if applicable)
Important Medicare Reality
Traditional Medicare usually does not directly pay for permanent home ramps, because ramps are considered a home modification rather than durable medical equipment.
However, documentation from PT/OT can still help patients qualify for:
Medicaid/Medi-Cal waiver programs Local disability grants County aging services Nonprofit organizations Veterans programs Church/community support
California Resources That May Help
Possible programs include: California Department of Aging Habitat for Humanity Home Center for Independent Living Locator Local Area Agency on Aging Medi-Cal
Portable ramps are sometimes easier to obtain through DME channels.
What to Say to the Doctor
You can say something like:
“I’m having difficulty safely exiting and entering the home with a wheelchair/walker. I would like a home safety evaluation with PT or OT to assess for a wheelchair ramp and home modifications.”
Do an internet search. The more stairs you have, the sturdier it needs to be. I have used the one piece kind for a patient. However, I only needed to go up a few stairs and she was very tiny. The ramp was very easy to move if needed. The two piece ramps will probably be fairly easy to move as well and may be better for a heavier person. There is a wide range of prices. Be sure to check the reviews, weight, and just as important, the length. All the best.
contact your local Masons. Many Mason organizations have an umbrella group called Masonic Medical Supply which accepts and provides durable medical equipment for those in need.
Contact local Senior Centers because know of organizations and low cost handymen to do small jobs for seniors.
Seek to your loved one's PCP and ask for the in-house social worker to assist.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
There may be volunteer groups in your area that help build wheelchair ramps, especially for seniors or people with disabilities, but even if your income isn’t low there are still good options.
You might try:
Your local Independent Living Center
County aging/disability services
Veterans organizations (if applicable)
Service clubs or churches
Medical equipment companies that sell or rent modular ramps
Home accessibility contractors
You can also search for:
“home accessibility contractor”
“modular wheelchair ramp”
or
“independent living center near me”
Modular aluminum ramps are often a good long-term option because they install quickly and can sometimes be reused or resold later.
I hope this gives you a few good places to start, and I’m wishing you the best as you look into options.
Ask your primary doctor for:
A home safety evaluation
A home modification evaluation
Or a physical therapy / occupational therapy home assessment.
A PT or OT may visit the home to assess:
Safe wheelchair exit/entry
Stair barriers
Fall risk
Caregiver safety
Need for durable medical equipment (DME)
The therapist documents:
Medical necessity
Functional limitations
Why a ramp is needed for safe home access.
That documentation may help support:
Insurance authorization
Community assistance programs
Nonprofit ramp services
Veterans benefits (if applicable)
Important Medicare Reality
Traditional Medicare usually does not directly pay for permanent home ramps, because ramps are considered a home modification rather than durable medical equipment.
However, documentation from PT/OT can still help patients qualify for:
Medicaid/Medi-Cal waiver programs
Local disability grants
County aging services
Nonprofit organizations
Veterans programs
Church/community support
California Resources That May Help
Possible programs include:
California Department of Aging
Habitat for Humanity Home
Center for Independent Living Locator
Local Area Agency on Aging
Medi-Cal
Temporary vs Permanent Ramps
Sometimes therapists recommend:
Portable aluminum ramps
Threshold ramps
Modular ramps
Permanent wooden ramps
Portable ramps are sometimes easier to obtain through DME channels.
What to Say to the Doctor
You can say something like:
“I’m having difficulty safely exiting and entering the home with a wheelchair/walker. I would like a home safety evaluation with PT or OT to assess for a wheelchair ramp and home modifications.”
Warmly,
Delia Vicencio, PT, DPT
Contact local Senior Centers because know of organizations and low cost handymen to do small jobs for seniors.
Seek to your loved one's PCP and ask for the in-house social worker to assist.