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2004 Media Releases & Alerts

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kimberly Warren

NAHB Research Center and U.S. Administration on Aging Announce Assistive Technology Program Grantees

Assistive Technology and Aging in Place Demonstration Program Targets Innovative Approaches for Supporting Adults' Independence As They Age

March 30, 2004, Upper Marlboro, Md. - The NAHB Research Center's National Center for Seniors' Housing Research and the U.S. Administration on Aging are proud to announce the nine winners of the Assistive Technology and Aging in Place (ATAP) demonstration program. The ATAP grants provide funding for pilot projects to stimulate greater public awareness and innovative approaches for addressing the common needs of older adults who wish to age in place.

NAHB Research Center president Michael Luzier said, "We are excited to announce the grantees of the Assistive Technology and Aging in Place demonstration program. Their activities will strengthen the capacity of our aging networks to support older adults who wish to age in place through the use of technology in their homes."

This year's winners are:

  • The County of Monmouth, N.J.
  • The Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut
  • The Robert Pierre Johnson Housing Development Corporation of Arlington, Va.
  • The Department of Economic Security, Aging and Adult Administration of Phoenix, Ariz.
  • The Tompkins County Office for Aging of Ithaca, N.Y.
  • Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging
  • Marquette (Mich.) County Commission on Aging
  • The Jefferson Area Board for Aging of Charlottesville, Va.
  • Elder Services of Merrimack Valley, Inc. of Lawrence, Mass.

Activities funded through the ATAP demonstration program include partnering with licensed home builders who specialize in home adaptation to provide caregiver training; testing the use of Internet-based technology to help older adults check and monitor key vital signs; developing assistive technologies through the administration of university-based student design projects; and conducting functional assessments of older adults' homes and aiding them with the acquisition of appropriate assistive technologies. Grantees have also proposed holding training sessions on assistive technologies for home improvement contractors, caregivers, and local aging networks.

Josefina Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging, said, "We are looking forward to watching our grantees' progress in developing new, replicable models and approaches that will enhance older adults' independence and safety and also assist caregivers. Their activities will involve partnerships with other organizations to increase program innovation."

The ATAP demonstration program is designed to develop, identify, and promote the use of innovative assistive technologies. Emerging technological advances can enhance the possibility of aging in place, ease caregiver responsibilities, and assist older adults with meeting the demands of daily living.

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The NAHB Research Center, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., promotes innovation in housing technology to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of homes and home building products. Created over 40 years ago as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the NAHB Research Center has established itself as the source for reliable, objective information and research on housing construction and development issues. Through its various testing and certification services, the Research Center seal is internationally-recognized as a mark of product quality and an assurance of product performance.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "NAHB Research Center." If clarification of the acronym is necessary, the phrase, "a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)," can follow. In subsequent mentions, "Research Center" is the only acceptable and accurate alternative reference.