John and Jeremiah each carried an armful of their favorite keepsakes through the front door of their new home in Dover. Freshly painted walls and new carpets greeted the men as each claimed a bedroom and prepared to settle into Typical Life Corporation’s newest single-story house, a residential home for neurodivergent adults.
“When Jeremiah saw his new room, he was so excited that he lay on the carpet and wouldn’t get up,” says Sandy Chilton, CEO of TLC.
This move is more than just a change of address for the two men; it’s a leap toward a dignified, independent aging experience. The new home is tailored to supporting their needs as they grow older, an application of TLC’s aging-in-place initiative.
Build with the individual in mind
TLC’s aging-in-place initiative began a year and a half ago, driven by the growing desire among older adults to remain in their homes and maintain their independence as long as possible. Traditional two-story houses no longer are the best option when TLC chooses new residential homes. The organization has begun shifting toward ranch-style houses, which are inherently more accessible.
Over the past year, the organization has received three grants to enhance the internal environments of TLC’s residential homes. The funds have made possible critical modifications such as the installation of ramps, walk-in tubs, roll-in showers, and widened doorways. Every detail is optimized for accessibility.
“We’re looking at who is aging and how they are aging. It is very thought-out, a very large team approach,” Sandy says. “It’s extremely individually focused.”
Meeting challenges head-on
Beyond addressing residential spaces, TLC is working to meet deeper individual needs that many agencies aren’t staffed to handle. In the past, individuals with special needs often would be moved into nursing care as soon as their medical needs couldn’t be managed by direct support professionals. TLC is changing that situation by upgrading its homes and diversifying its team to include more certified nursing assistants, nurses, and other medically trained personnel.
“When a person’s needs change, there’s more nursing support required, which hasn’t always been available,” Sandy says.
Funding remains a significant hurdle to aging in place. TLC addresses that challenge by ensuring that affordable housing is within reach for its clients, many of whom rely on Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, for their living expenses. The housing market’s volatility further complicates this issue, but TLC’s proactive approach has been instrumental in securing suitable homes for those in need.
TLC’s purchase of Jeremiah and John’s home in Dover is a result of that dedication.
“We located a really nice rancher, a three-bedroom home that already had a ramp in the back. The home was perfectly suited for their needs,” Sandy says.
The municipality’s cooperation, which Sandy greatly appreciated, was crucial to the process. In the past, TLC has retrofitted homes but then found itself unable to secure occupancy permits.
“I think people have preconceived notions,” Sandy says, “but you can’t ask for better neighbors than us.”
Where technology meets innovation
Although TLC has yet to integrate smart technology into its aging-in-place initiative, the potential for that is on the horizon.
TLC recently received a grant that supports independent living through the use of motionless water shutoff systems and mounted tablets that can send reminders and allow remote check-ins. The technology will help maintain a level of independence while reducing the need for 24-hour staffing, allowing residents more autonomy.
From retrofitting homes with walk-in tubs to adding a three-season room that offers a multi-sensory experience to replacing carpet with vinyl flooring in homes where someone uses a walker, TLC is helping individuals live more fulfilled lives at home as they age.