Establishing a Home Maintenance Program for Elderly Homeowners: A Guidebook

摘要

This report discusses the planning and design of a home maintenance program for the elderly, who because of infirmity or illness are often unable to maintain their homes. It reviews the various policy options available for assisting the elderly and comments on the role of home maintenance programs in long - term care strategies. Planning and design considerations discussed include needs assessment procedures and cover the issue of targeting resources to specific subgroups, as well as the issue of determining geographic project boundaries. The report examines the role of program sponsors or parent agencies and the mechanics of organizing an administrative structure, focusing on staffing requirements, staff roles and responsibilities, staff skills and training, and equipment and office needs. It looks at the repair delivery process and various outreach methods along with the mechanics of client intake and enrollment and housing inspections. The text explores the issue of using work crews versus subcontractors to deliver repair services and focuses on such ''nuts and bolts'' issues as central or bulk purchasing, material storage, theft prevention, transportation concerns, and the use of foremen. It also covers procedures for callbacks and emergencies, referral assistance, recordkeeping, cost accounting, and financing home maintenance programs. A checklist summarizes the issues and policy decisions that must be made. Footnotes are included.