SECTIONS 9450-9454 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 9450-9454

9450. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Thousands of California seniors are living with mobility and
health problems and these numbers will increase as the state's
population ages. Statistics show that 50 percent of people over the
age of 80 years are disabled in some manner.
(2) Most housing was not designed for people who are disabled,
have lost strength, flexibility, or balance through aging, and who
necessarily have become fearful or extremely cautious in their daily
activities to avoid injury. Front steps, staircases, narrow doorways,
low electric sockets, low light levels, round door handles, high
kitchen cabinets, and bathrooms without grab bars or moveable shower
heads pose hazards for the elderly. One in three Americans over the
age of 65 years suffers a fall each year, often in the home, which
can cause serious injury and depression.
(3) Studies show that basic home modifications to improve safety
and make it easier to maneuver about the home can forestall
hospitalization and nursing home care as seniors grow more fragile.
"Aging in place" is a new concept that can result in less injury,
retaining elders in their homes, and offers a significant cost
savings to health care insurers, families, and public agencies.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the development of
the "aging in place" concept be recognized and supported by the
state, that funding for education and making home improvements be
facilitated through public and private sources, and that
recommendations for changes in home modification policies and
information for home modification projects and products be developed.

9451. The department, in consultation with the commission, shall
enter into a contract for the development of information and
materials which shall be used to educate Californians on the concept
of "aging in place" and the benefits of home modification. The
contractor shall be a research-based university gerontology
department with extensive experience and work with the concept of
"aging in place" and the benefits of home modification.

9452. The department shall distribute the information developed
pursuant to Section 9451 to each area agency on aging and to other
appropriate entities throughout the state.

9453. The department, in cooperation with the entity contracting
with the department pursuant to Section 9451, shall sponsor regional
training sessions, and seminars, using the materials developed
pursuant to this chapter.

9454. Implementation of this chapter shall be subject to an
appropriation in the annual Budget Act.