GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Home is where the heart is.
But as time goes on, some homes are more difficult to maneuver. That’s where Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) wants to step in.
Here to help
“We just address everything that someone does in their home space to ensure that there is less chance of falls, injuries, other catastrophes, and, you know, just ways to help them stay safe in their home forever,” Occupational Therapy Department Manager Judi Siegert said.
DAKC makes it their mission to work alongside people with disabilities as they seek to lead self-directed lives. The organization’s Home Accessibility Center allows community members to participate in an interactive tour showing what DAKC recommends when making a home more accessible.
“So this space is a nice space for people to be able to come and see some of the products and some of the solutions that are available,” Executive Director David Kulbowski said. “A lot of the things that we showcase here, people say they never knew existed.”
The organization invites people to tour their facility or apply for a home assessment.
“Our team goes to individuals' homes, does an assessment of that person in their space, and sees how they function in their bathroom, in their bedroom, in their kitchen,” Siegert said. “We ask them, what's important to them, what are they having a hard time with?”
The team then suggests what accommodations could be added to someone's home without the hefty costs that often accompany home improvements.
“Things like shower chairs, grab bars, and all of the adaptive equipment that we have here, but insurance does not cover that,” she said. “So having these changes happen in your life, it's expensive, so that's why we have this solution here.”
DAKC is a grant-funded agency and adults who qualify can receive assistance, oftentimes for free.
“We have services for older adults and veterans and others that qualify from an income standpoint, with the generous dollars that are given to us by Kent County Senior Millage and these other organizations to allow us to do these home assessments, especially for those most vulnerable,” Siegert said.
If you or someone you know needs help call 616-949-1100 or visit here.