Home Modifications for Seniors

Elderly woman washing dishes- Home Modifications for Seniors blog featured image

Wellderly Week is observed in the U.S. on the third week of March. We should celebrate our elders every day of the year but it’s important to designate observations that are dedicated to the well-being of senior citizens. Wellderly Week encourages community members to come together and help our elderly live their life to the fullest. 

One Way to be Proactive in Senior Well-Being is through Home Modifications. 

According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the vast majority of older Americans would like to remain living in their own homes for as long as physically and/or mentally possible. Of these individuals, most said they could live for an extra 10 years in their homes because of these adjustments, according to the survey.

What are Home Modifications for Seniors?

Home modifications are adjustments or adaptations made to the home so an elderly or disabled person can perform daily tasks as safely as possible while maintaining their independence. The type of modifications made will depend on the individual’s abilities and home layout. 

Many times those who require home modifications have problems with areas such as the stairs, kitchen, bathroom, driveway and basement.

These areas of the home present complications and dangers because the elderly or disabled individual is suffering from one or more of the following problems:

  • Bad vision or hearing
  • Trouble with depth perception
  • Diminished sense of smell and touch
  • Too short or too tall
  • Weakness or reduced mobility
  • Poor balance and grip
  • Lack of coordination
  • Cognitive impairments
  • History of falling

Solutions

There are many simple solutions to allow individuals to remain in their homes while still being able to perform daily activities with minimal to no trouble. Here are some useful home modifications:

Improve Convenience and Accessibility

  • Install wheelchair ramps.
  • Install bed rails.
  • Place a portable toilet in the bedroom.
  • Replace round doorknobs with levers.
  • Install a raised toilet seat.
  • Place a shower chair in the shower or tub.
  • Install crank windows.
  • Purchase clocks and telephones with larger numbers.
  • Install anti-scald devices in the bathroom sinks and showers.
  • Install an emergency response system.

Improving Lighting and Visibility

  • Place light switches on the top and bottom of staircases and close to room entrances.
  •  Install lighted switch plates.
  • Install voice- or sound-activated systems.
  • Install motion-censored exterior lighting.

Improving Safety and Support

  • Take away loose rugs or secure them with non-skid backing or double-sided carpet tape.
  • Install non-slip flooring in bathrooms and kitchens.
  • Place bright-colored non-skid tape on the edges of stairs to highlight them.
  • Install rubber treads on uncarpeted indoor and outdoor stairs.
  •  Install handrails and grab bars in stairways and bathrooms.
  • Place an adjustable rail on the edge of the bathtub.

Programs That Can Cover Home Modifications for Seniors

Most states offer Medicaid programs that cover home modifications to enable elderly and / or disabled individuals to remain living at home. Medicare and Medicaid are two separate, government-run programs. They are operated and funded by different parts of the government and primarily serve different groups.

  • Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65+ or under 65 and have a disability, no matter your income.
  • Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a very low income.
  • If you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible), you can have both. They will work together to provide you with health coverage and lower your costs.

Finding Your Plan With Acentria

We care about the things that matter the most when it comes to you and your Medicare coverage. That’s why our team of professionals takes time to understand your needs and budget to pinpoint the best Medicare plan for you. Contact us to get started.

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Rob Wagner

Executive Vice President | Director of Sales, Southeast Region

With over 15 years of insurance industry experience, Rob focuses on growing organic growth throughout the entire Southeast region for both Acentria Insurance and Foundation Risk Partners. Working alongside both executive leadership and territory sales leaders, Rob is instrumental in producer training, increasing retention and expanding our organizational footprint.

As a self-proclaimed Army Brat, he was born in Fort Benning, GA, but has moved 27 times and resided in 40 different houses… all before college! His father proudly served our country for 28 years! As a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Business Management, Rob also holds an MBA from Stetson University. A producer at heart, he specializes in large property, senior living, management liability and workers’ compensation. He enjoys meeting new team members and finds his personal success in seeing producers succeed.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 22 years and their two daughters. Together they enjoy boating, offshore fishing and exercising.

Mike Freeman

Mergers & Acquisitions

Leading the Acentria Mergers & Acquisitions team, Mike works with those agency principals and leaders who are interested in furthering a potential partnership with Acentria Insurance.  With over 35 years of finance and insurance experience, Mike and his team showcase the various benefits of partnering with Acentria. He works with principals through the initial phases to evaluate agency operations, books of business as well as planning and implementing fully comprehensive migration and implementation plans. He served 25 years in the banking industry in various executive-level positions transitioning to insurance in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer for Acentria Insurance. In 2017, Acentria Insurance partnered with Foundation Risk Partners where his major focus became leading Acentria Insurance’s mergers and acquisitions team.  

Mike is a graduate of Auburn University. He is dedicated to serving his community having held numerous leadership positions including Chairman for the American Heart Association; Chairman Mental Health Association; Chairman Destin Chamber of Commerce and Board Member for United Way Okaloosa-Walton Counties. Mike is a 27-year resident of Destin, FL and enjoys spending time with his wife of 35 years, Yvonne and their two adult children and their families.

Jenny Cirioni

Vice President, Operations
Northeast, Florida

Todd Lawrence

Executive Vice President
Southeast Florida

Rob Wagner

Executive Vice President
Southwest Florida Region

Alan Florez

Executive Vice President, National Sales

Alan leads new business growth strategies and expansion, guides the development of resources and training for Sales Producers and their partnerships with Carriers. With over 15 years of industry experience, Alan also leads the Acentria Public Risk divisions working with municipalities and government entities for their coverage needs. He was appointed to the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners December 2020 and also serves as an Executive Committee member for our parent company, Foundation Risk Partners.

Previously, Alan served as Governor Jeb Bush’s Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs and Special Assistant. He is a former member of the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees and currently volunteers his time with the Florida Council of 100, Futures Foundation of Volusia County Schools and the Community Foundation of Flagler and Volusia. Alan holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida.

Anne Kraus

Senior Vice President
Commercial Lines Operations

Teresa Fillmon

Vice President
Small Business Unit

Alex Doberstein

Vice President
Benefits Resource Leader

Eric Austin

Operations Lead
Port St. Lucie & West Palm Beach

Luke Wolkers

Executive Vice President
Employee Benefits

Chris Tolland

Executive Vice President
Northeast Florida Sales

Brian Stanton

Executive Vice President
Southeast Florida

Nathan Marks

Executive Vice President
Northwest Florida

Jason Cruse

Executive Vice President
Central Florida Sales

Jackie Shaw

Senior Vice President
Agency Operations

Jessica Parkhurst

Senior Vice President
Marketing & Branding

Doreen Castro

Senior Vice President
Personal Lines Operations

Kendall McEachern

Co-Founder

Kendall was a fundamental part of Acentria Insurance. As a co-founder, he brought more than 30 years of industry expertise to Acentria, helping transform the organization into a leading insurance provider. Beloved by team members, carrier partners and clients, he oversaw more than 400,000 insured multi-family units with property values greater than $22 billion, and over four million square feet of commercial office space and real estate buildings. Kendall has received numerous industry awards to include being recognized as a National Top Producer and Agent of the Year by both Insurance Business America and Insurance Journal. Away from the office, he served as chairman for the American Heart Association, actively participated in his church and golfing, watching sports and spending time with his family. Kendall passed away in January of 2021, leaving a lasting legacy on Acentria’s culture, success, industry-wide reputation – and on all of us fortunate to have worked alongside him.

Mary Lawless

President & Chief Operating Officer

As President and Chief Operating Officer, Mary brings over three decades of industry expertise to Acentria Insurance. With a strong focus on Mergers & Acquisitions, Mary is passionate about partnering with new agencies and leaders to continue the overall upward growth of Acentria. She works in conjunction with the CEO to lead and deliver specialized sales products, services and industry leading capabilities while implementing business and sales strategies to the Acentria sales team and carrier partners. Mary has direct oversight of all operational leaders throughout the entire organizational footprint and is responsible for operational financials and budgets.

She empowers her team members and because of it, is well respected by her peers and those she leads. Since her time with Acentria, Mary’s leadership has contributed to the agency’s exponential growth from 15 to well over 50 locations, increasing employment to over 700 team members, across the southeastern United States. Due to her leadership and contributions to the insurance industry, she has been nationally recognized as one of Insurance Business America magazine’s Elite Women and serves as a valuable member on the Executive Committee for Foundation Risk Partners, Acentria’s parent company. Prior to joining Acentria Insurance, Mary led operations for another national broker. Throughout her tenure, she has held a variety of management positions in Personal Lines, Select Business and Employee Benefits. Mary specializes in agency operations, partnerships and acquisitions and is truly passionate about developing team members to become great leaders.

When not shaping the future industry leaders at Acentria Insurance, Mary enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, Pat and their family and friends.

Mitch Weinstein

Partner & Co-Founder

As partner of Acentria Insurance, Mitch plays an integral role in mergers & acquisitions. He focuses on seeking out strategic like-minded partners and agencies, across the southeastern United States, to partner and join the Acentria family.

Mitch has over 42 years of business leadership experience that ranges from law enforcement to the finance, healthcare and insurance industries. He was instrumental in developing the nation’s first “at-risk” managed care network for physical and occupational therapy serving the worker’s compensation industry. This network paved the way for a new managed care system, based on incentives.

Mitch is passionate about giving back to the youth of his community. He is an active supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County and believes in helping all young people reach their full potential. He is also the founder of Fallen First Reserve which is a non-profit organization dedicated to financially assisting those family members of First Responders killed in the line of duty and military members killed in action. Mitch also serves on the board for Fund the First.

Kevin Mason

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

As Chief Executive Office of Acentria Insurance, Kevin focuses on developing insurance solutions that strengthen Acentria’s presence in the market and its commitment to client-relationships and exceptional service. With over 35 years of industry experience, he specializes in the overall growth of Acentria is passionate about bringing new talent to the organization both organically and through mergers and acquisitions. Through his leadership and the support of the Executive Leadership team, Acentria Insurance instills a positive corporate culture which has led the agency in being recognized as a leader within our industry as a Top 100 Workplace, Employer of Choice, Best Agency to Work For and several other national and regional accolades.

Before co-founding Acentria Insurance, Kevin served as Branch Manager for another national broker. Kevin holds the prestigious title as an Agent of the Year and five-time National Top Producer. He is also a key member of the Foundation Risk Partners Executive Committee, which is the parent company of Acentria Insurance, while also serving as the National Director for Carrier Relations. In addition, Kevin oversees the Sales Leadership Council, which encompasses sales leaders across the entire FRP footprint in an effort to develop and refine shared resources while offering producer training and development programs.

Kevin received a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from the University of West Florida. He is very active in his community and served over a decade on the Board of Directors of Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and remains as a trustee, which funds over 14 children’s charities along the Florida Panhandle. He is also a member of the Destin Chamber of Commerce, Community Association Institute and Florida Association of Insurance Agents. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys golfing, tennis, boating and spending time with his wife Laura, and their children.