LEXINGTON, Ky. — The City of Lexington announced a new partnership with Bluegrass Care Navigators to help low-income seniors remain safely in their own homes, according to a release from the Mayor's Office. The program, funded by a $2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that the Urban County Council approved in February, began accepting applications for residents age 62 and older who need safety modifications.

Mayor Linda Gorton said the initiative exemplifies "how lives can be positively changed when our government focuses on serving people and forming community collaborations." The program targets seniors with household incomes at or below 80% of the area median income who own or rent their primary residence and want to remain in their homes.

Possible modifications include installation of grab bars and handrails, non-slip flooring, improved lighting, ramps, and adjustments to doors and windows to improve accessibility, according to the city's housing program page. Once residents are approved, a Bluegrass Care Navigators occupational therapist conducts a home assessment to identify fall risks and mobility challenges before city-approved contractors complete the work.

"Older Lexingtonians deserve to age safely and with dignity in their own homes, regardless of their income level," Fourth District Councilmember Emma Curtis said in a statement. "Our Home Modification Program goes a long way towards ensuring they can."

Bluegrass Care Navigators, legally known as Hospice of the Bluegrass Inc., operates as a regional provider of hospice, palliative care, and transitional care services. Housing Advocacy and Community Development Commissioner Charlie Lanter called aging-in-place programs "one of the smartest investments we can make because it allows residents to remain independent, connected to their communities, and in the homes they love."

Eligible residents must be Fayette County residents with a desire to age in place. Interested seniors can learn more and apply through the city's website. Those seeking information can also contact Grants and Special Programs at (859) 258-3070.