Grandma’s Porch Fund

Preventing Falls, Preserving Homes

Each year, one third of adults over 65 fall – our mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers.   Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 20 minutes an older adult will die from a fall.   Many, if not most, of these falls are preventable.  Grandma’s Porch helps save lives.

Rebuilding Together Rogue Valley, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, helps low income older adults stay in their homes and communities safely. RBT-RV has developed an assessment process, based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) fall-risk criteria. It is designed to provide older adults an evaluation of their personal risk of falling in their home.

Referrals to this program come from local hospitals, as well as regional and state agencies and organizations engaged in senior care.

The assessment process takes 30-45 minutes and is provided at no cost by National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists or trained volunteers under their supervision.

The assessment covers four critical areas in the home:

• Accessibility
• Trip Hazards
• Bathroom Safety
• Home Environment Safety

If the residents cannot afford the recommended items (grab bars, shower chairs, railings, etc.), Grandma’s Porch Fund covers the cost of materials and labor necessary to reduce fall risk for low-income adults.

The assessment may also identify needed in-home safety items such as smoke detectors and batteries, CO detectors, allergen reduction furnace filters or emergency lighting.  Identified safety needs, up to a pre-determined cap, can be provided by Grandma’s Porch.  Older adults on a limited, fixed income often cannot afford the small things needed to safely remain in their homes.

Grandma’s Porch utilizes state-licensed and bonded “handymen” to carry out all technical installations (grab bars, railings). Local foundations, hospitals, health care providers), and individual donations support our programs.

Contributions to Grandma’s Porch Fund are tax deductible.  Make checks payable to Rebuilding Together Rogue Valley. Mailing address for both is:  PO Box 1837, Jacksonville, OR 97530.