AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Pinellas Park Fire Department (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ HomeFit Modifications
└ HomeFit Modifications
Older residents in Pinellas Park faced high fall risks at home, often relying on emergency services after accidents. To improve safety, the fire department installed grab bars in homes of residents age 50-plus identified as high-risk. The project strengthened community ties and raised awareness about home safety, helping older adults feel more secure and confident. Participants expressed gratitude, saying the changes made them feel safer at home.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Portland, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: HomeFit Modifications
Description: Older adults in Portland faced fall risks and lacked access to affordable home safety solutions, especially those with language barriers. ReFIT responded by hosting six outreach events, sharing multilingual HomeFit Guides and safety items, and installing 22 grab bars plus other modifications like ramps and railings. These changes help residents age in place with confidence and dignity. "I feel so much safer now... I just didn't know who to ask about getting this done," said one client, reflecting the project's lasting impact on independence and peace of mind.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Randolph, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: HomeFit Modifications
Description: Older adults in affordable housing often lacked tools and knowledge to make their homes safe, leaving them vulnerable to accidents and isolation. The project offered workshops on home safety and technology, installed video doorbell cameras and worked with maintenance teams to ensure compliance with housing rules. Residents reported feeling safer and more independent. One mother said the video doorbell gave her peace of mind and allowed her autistic daughter to stay home alone briefly, reducing stress and improving daily life.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Lummi Island, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: HomeFit Modifications
Description: Many older adults on the island wanted to remain in their homes but faced fall risks from stairs, clutter and aging fixtures. Limited access to local contractors and low awareness of home safety options made it hard to address those hazards. The Lummi Island Health and Wellness Program responded with community HomeFit trainings, volunteer-led home assessments and simple modifications such as grab bars, handrails and non-slip surfaces. Residents learned how small changes could make daily routines safer. One workshop participant said the program "made it seem actionable" after seeing how neighbors adapted their homes. The effort helped residents feel more confident taking steps to age in place and built a local network of volunteers and partners to continue supporting safer homes.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
St. Petersburg, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: The Dream Center works with low-income families throughout Pinellas County, focusing on improving safety and livability for older adults in their homes. This project made home repairs and accessibility modifications to 25 houses, including widening doors and installing grab bars, chair lifts, wheelchair ramps, handrails and toilet seat lifts. Project organizers say these repairs shielded families from facing potentially expensive fines for code violations. The Dream Center also provided food assistance and hygiene items to older adults. Today the Center continues to provide home modification assistance through its Adopt A Block program.
Pinellas County, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: The Florida Dream Center helps older adults in Pinellas County age in place, relying on federal grants and other funding sources to assist with home repairs and modifications. However, this funding is typically limited, meaning the nonprofit can only improve homes belonging to residents over the age of 62. To serve a larger subset of older adults, the Florida Dream Center created a program for residents between the ages of 50 to 61. Modifications include installing grab bars and handrails, replacing flooring, fixing holes in exterior walls, painting, rewiring exterior lights and mitigating rodents and other pests. By tapping a wide volunteer network to help make repairs, the Center has since expanded the services it offers to older homeowners.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Florida State Office
360 N. Central Avenue
Suite 1750
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
United States
Phone: 866-595-7678
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]