Home Modifications 101: Safe Homes for Seniors

In this episode, we dive into the world of home modifications for aging in place with Alex Modric, CEO of Phoenix Pro Management. Alex shares invaluable insights on how seniors can access resources to modify their homes and maintain independence longer. We explore the benefits of aging in place, available funding options through programs like Long Term Care Medicaid and PACE Centers, and the critical importance of safety and compliance in home modifications.

Our conversation covers a range of topics, from the average costs of home modifications to the potential long-term savings for both individuals and Medicaid. Alex emphasizes the importance of trust and communication in the industry, sharing personal anecdotes that highlight the human side of home modification services. Whether you're a senior looking to stay in your home, a caregiver seeking options, or simply interested in the future of elder care, this episode offers practical advice and eye-opening information.

Tune in to discover how to navigate the complex world of home modifications, learn about nationwide resources like PACE centers, and understand the crucial questions to ask when hiring contractors. Don't miss this comprehensive guide to creating safer, more accessible homes for our aging population!

Connect to: National PACE Association

SeniorLivingGuide.com Podcast sponsored by TransMed Care Long Distance Medical Transportation & GoGo Grandparent 855-464-6874 (ext 81714)

The background music is written, performed, and produced exclusively by purple-planet.com.

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Transcript

Darleen Mahoney [0:42 - 1:34]: We are joined today by Alex Modric. He brings a nearly a decade of experience to providing providing home modifications for Floridians in every county with a focus on compassionate bedside manner, ensuring that every home modification meets the unique needs of individuals. He is the CEO of Phoenix Pro Management. A key focus of his leadership is working closely with the Department of Elder Affairs, Long Term Care, Medicaid and the idd, which is intellectual and development disabilities program to ensure seamless access to services. And he plays a pivotal role in collaborating with healthcare administrators and agency directors across the state to strategize and expand access to home modifications for lower income members. Thank you so much for joining us today, Alex. I really appreciate you joining us. 

Alex Modric [1:34 - 1:44]: Thank you. No, that was a great introduction, but no, I'm very excited to talk to you today about all the exciting, exciting topics. 

Darleen Mahoney [1:46 - 2:18]: Yeah, I know that, you know, one of the things that we talk about and lately more so than ever, it seems the benefits of aging in place, which is staying in your own home. But sometimes that can come with challenges, especially if you're staying in a home that you raised your children in because that home was not meant for, it's meant for families. It may not be a home that's meant for someone that's aging in place and aging in place. As we get older, we, we may need to make some changes to make it a safe environment, correct? 

Alex Modric [2:18 - 3:40]: No, a hundred percent. So first off, you know, you have Floridians that are genuinely just blessed with the state and how it approaches aging in place. You have a bunch of programs, you have Long Term Care, Medicaid like you listed off, you have the IDD pilot program, you have the PACE Centers. Their entire focus, all of those organizations is keeping the elderly and disabled Floridians in, in their homes. And it's actually economically great for the state of Florida. And that's one of the reasons why they fund those services. But it's also really great for the members that want to stay in their homes and they don't want, no one wants to go to an alf. No one wants to go to a nursing facility. They want to stay in their homes and they want to have access to care, but also have access to their homes. So it doesn't feel like in some circumstances, like it doesn't feel like a prison where they're stuck in certain areas of their home where they can't get to the second floor because they need a stairlift, or in some circumstances they can't get in even to the front door without a ramp. And with these programs and with Phoenix Pro Management, my company and our team, we've been able to really help these members and getting the services that they medically need. They definitely do. 

Darleen Mahoney [3:42 - 4:03]: Right. So in general for any, because anyone that's listening to the podcast, they could be located outside the state of Florida because we have national reach. So just home modification in general is something that, that everyone needs. Do you know that out of the state of Florida is, are these services offered in other states as well? 

Alex Modric [4:04 - 5:13]: Yes, they, they are nationwide. So you have the long term care, Medicaid, they have the health plans. They definitely fund home modifications in states like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas. Those are a couple that come off top of my head. Oh, Ohio for sure in Indiana. But with the pay centers. The pay centers are nationwide as well. And with the pay centers, what's so absolutely fantastic about it, especially when you compare an ALF or you compare a nursing facility, they are able to assist members that have Medicare and Medicaid and they're able to get these services like the whole modifications that we're talking about. But there's a bunch of other programs out there and you know, the information that we're talking about today is just letting people know and we're going to keep using this word access. And it's great because it's relevant to giving access to members in the bathroom or to their front doors like I had referenced, but also getting access to this funding and to this, you know, assistance that a lot of members aren't able to pay for the services themselves. 

Darleen Mahoney [5:15 - 5:17]: Right. And I don't think a lot of people know that it even exists. 

Alex Modric [5:17 - 5:19]: Yeah, yeah. 

Darleen Mahoney [5:19 - 6:29]: So it is the education aspect of it. So. And the importance that the other thing, the other flip side of it, I think people think, okay, so I need a ramp. Okay. I need to be able to access my front door or you know, that second level. I live in a two story house and there's not a bedroom on the, down on the, you know, the bottom floor, everything's upstairs. But I need to be able to access that or I'm going to end up sleeping on my couch. And that's not a healthy way to live either. So it really is also making the decisions on what you need to do, but also having them done safely, having them done correctly because you can h your next door neighbor to put in a ramp. But is the ramp correct? Is the ramp safe? Is the ramp all the things that you need to make it to where it's done correctly and to, I mean, clearly, I know in every State, and I know this, I've built a house here in the state of Florida. There are people that follow code. And so you want to make sure that it's up to code for a variety of different reasons. So tell us a little bit about what compliance means and why you would want everything that you do to be done correctly. Why that's super important. 

Alex Modric [6:29 - 9:22]: Yeah, yeah. Well, number one is the industry that we work in, right? The healthcare industry. There are two things that are at the front of everything, which is trust and communication. You cannot really effectively be in this industry if you don't prioritize those two. And trust is you have to trust the provider. You have to trust the home modification vendor that he's going to abide by these laws and regulations that are put in for whatever state he's doing the project in. And when it comes to home modifications, it's a construction project. At the end of the day, you are having a construction team come in and remodel a bathroom for it to be wheelchair accessible. You're having a construction team come in and build a ramp out in the front door. And what's important about the compliance aspect of it is all ramps need to be verified with the local building department if a permit is needed. And that's something that a lot of homeowners don't realize, a lot of these members don't realize. And they go, oh, I should, I should ask that question. And I go, hey, are you pulling a permit for this? Because you should pull apart. Because I actually called the building apartment and they picked up and they answered a very simple question. I'm building ramp in my front yard. Do I need a permit? General contractors are not the most trustworthy people and they will not mention that. And they will just build it and get paid and leave. And then two weeks later, unfortunately, that member now has a violation on the ramp and that general contractor is in the wind. So same thing goes for the bathrooms you need. If you're touching a drain in a bathroom, you need a permit. You do, you definitely do. And it's also really important. Am I working with a licensed professional? Maybe your cousin down the street's going to do the project for half of the cost that another provider provided and bid it on the job. But your cousin doesn't have a plumbing license. He doesn't have a general liability or workman's computer, and he might not have a one year warranty on his work or multiple year warranty on his workmanship. And that's what a lot of these members and these homeowners need to start thinking and asking their contractors or the people that they want to work with. And unfortunately, that's just the reality when you're working with general contractors, unlike us, because we really prioritize the compliance aspect of it all. Because at the end of the day, we're right in line with a home health agency. We're right in line with those type of health care providers that go into members homes. We should abide by those rules. And that's why it's so important. 

Darleen Mahoney [9:25 - 9:40]: So asking those questions. So what questions? If you're talking to someone and you're considering this, you should be asking very specific questions about licensing compliance and permitting. Are those the three top questions that you should really be asking? 

Alex Modric [9:40 - 9:47]: I would say licensing. Who is doing the work? Right. Are you subcontracting this workout? 

Darleen Mahoney [9:48 - 9:49]: Ooh, that is a good one. 

Alex Modric [9:49 - 12:13]: Right? Because I had a story recently and it has a great ending, but it does not have a great beginning. Right. And what happened was the member had hired a general contractor and they were doing a bathroom, and this member was actually, it was. The mother had hired it, and the member, the person that was going to get the home modifications was someone in their twenties, in college, and they had a disability. And the mom was trying to modify the home so that she could transition back home. And unfortunately, this contractor was halfway through the bathroom. And then the mother started to ask a couple of questions about where the permitting was and what about the certain inspections. And he turns to her and goes, oh, I didn't pull the permit. I didn't, I didn't. I didn't, you know, schedule the inspections. That's, that's our. That's the plumber that we hired. Let me figure this out with the plumber. Then he gets back and he goes, actually, we're just going to leave the job. And he left the job. He left the bathroom half done. Yeah, that's. It's insane. And that's when she started to ask those questions halfway through. That's why it's so important to ask them straight up, are you going to subcontract this? Are you abiding by the building department? Because I just called them and they told me that it's required. And I want to make sure, especially when you build a ramp at your front door, it's pretty obvious for code compliance to drive by. And then the insurances, you want to make sure that they have the proper licenses and insurances, you know, because a lot of the times the general contractor will have his license and he could subcontract his workout, which is totally legal. But if you're doing plumbing work, you want to know who the plumber is, you want to know who's actually doing that work. And are they really looking at the job site and making sure it's compliant? That's one of the reasons why permitting is so great, because then you have that certificate of completion at the end. They basically certify, say, this was inspected. This is legal work. It abides by all the rules and regulations. So you won't have your brand new bathroom done a couple weeks later and there's a leak, you know, that helps you avoid those certain situations. But yeah, those are the three, I would say licenses and insurances, the permitting aspect. And then are you subcontracting the work? Who is really doing the work? 

Darleen Mahoney [12:14 - 14:25]: Yeah, I mean, you have to advocate for yourself. You wouldn't go to a surgeon, you wouldn't go to the doctor that didn't have a license on the wall that was working out of a previous Pizza Hut and go to them and schedule some kind of a surgery without making sure that they had the proper licensing and permitting. And all the things we just talked about. You wouldn't just go to them and have them work on your physical self without having all of those buttoned up. So you have to really be the same advocate for, for your home that you would for your own self. Just because I think it's easier or just seems easier, or maybe you're getting a salesperson that's coming in when it comes to the home and they sweet talk you into giving them the job. And you really do have to stand your ground and you have to ask the right questions and interview people. I mean, just because Mr. Smith came in and he sounded great and you wanted to go forward and Mr. Jones is lined up an hour later to have a conversation. Still talk to Mr. Jones. Don't just say, hey, Mr. Smith, you got the job, and cancel with Mr. Jones. Keep your options open. I think it's important to continue to have those conversations, but you do have to advocate for yourself in asking those right questions. That's excellent advice and you're absolutely correct on that. So one of the things that I really like that you talked about is having access to some of those programs that will help some folks that don't have the money to make these changes to their homes, that there's programs that can be helpful so that they can age in place. Because at the end of the day, it is less expensive to stay in your Own home, especially, you know, if your home is already paid for, you don't have that added mortgage to be able to stay there if you can, you know, especially if you don't have a lot of cognitive issues. And it really is just more having access to different parts of your home. You have some physical ailments or whatever the case may be, and you really don't need a lot of assisted living, additional help or memory care or anything like that. It really is so much more affordable. 

Alex Modric [14:26 - 14:42]: Yeah. It's not just the affordability that is so exciting about the home modifications, which, you know, statistically speaking, the average cost for an ALF monthly is 4,500 to $5,000 for. 

Darleen Mahoney [14:42 - 14:46]: Oh, absolutely, absolutely. And some of them are significantly more than that. 

Alex Modric [14:46 - 15:42]: And those, those are, those are the better ones. Right. And you want to, you want to make sure that you're living in the. Basically the, the best version of, of what you wanted your home to be. The nursing facilities are 8,000 to $9,000. The average home modification, and that's a monthly cost. You are writing that check, you're making that payment, or the health plans in some of these situations are covering that benefit monthly with home odds. Average cost is 5,000 to $20,000. One time. One time. You have made the home accessible and you're able to stay in your home. You're able to stay in, you're able to stay in your investment, that is your investment. That is your brick and mortar. That's where, you know, your grandparents come home or grandchildren come home or your children come home for holidays. You want to make it your home, and you want to make it accessible. 

Darleen Mahoney [15:43 - 15:45]: And you can make your own coffee in the morning. 

Alex Modric [15:45 - 18:19]: You make your own coffee in the morning? Yeah, you can put whatever you want on the tv. You're not, you might be, you might be fighting with someone for the TV control, but it's only one person. You know, it's not a group of people. Right. But a lot of these projects, it's not rocket science at the end of the day. Some people kind of look at home modifications and they. So it's so involved and it's so inspector. So it's so expensive, but it's not, it's really not, especially with the numbers I just went over. If, if you're telling me I have an option of spending $20,000 one time and I get to stay in my home versus spending $20,000 in a matter of three months, in some cases or even less, I'm going to pick my home. Right. Some of the work. For example, door winding can be absolutely life changing for someone because they keep hitting their knuckles in the wheelchair to get into the bathroom. And certain people have conditions where minor cuts can actually lead to a hospital visit and just winding that door. And there are aesthetic options. It doesn't have to be like a hospital room. You can make home modifications look really great. Especially for some of those homeowners out there that are worried about, oh my God, you're going to make it look like it's a hospital bathroom. Are you going to make my front door look like it's the entrance to a nursing facility where you build a ramp? Some of these ramps are gorgeous. They're absolutely gorgeous. If you pick those options that aren't metal, that aren't modular, because we actually custom build them. We actually use pressure treated wood. And I remember this one time where we did a project and then we reached out to the member a couple years ago and we're like, hey, can you send us a picture of the ramp? It would be really great to see how our work was and over the years and I got the picture back and we left the ramp just pressure treated wood, everything. All the finishes were great. Pulled the permit, done deal. Right. We see the picture and it's covered in Halloween decorations. And it was so cute. It was just like, oh, candy, go at the ramp. You'll get candy at the end of it. So a lot of these projects can be aesthetic. A lot of these projects are life changing. All the projects are life changing. At least from my experience to the testimonials that we've heard from the members that we've helped over the years. It's an absolute blessing to be given the opportunity to help people in the ways that we do day in and day out. 

Darleen Mahoney [18:20 - 18:55]: Yeah. I do 100% believe that any home design, even with a home modification, does not have to look like it is built for wheelchair accessibility or anything like that. I mean, I've seen grab bars done in bathrooms that are absolutely gorgeous. They do not look like grab bars at all. They literally look like fixtures. So it can be done really nice. And then the large doorways, that is becoming something that is in right now, having those really large doorways. So that could actually increase the value of your home for sure. 

Alex Modric [18:55 - 18:56]: Oh yeah. 

Darleen Mahoney [18:57 - 19:07]: Having these larger doorways. But yeah. So how does that pair with those long term Medicaid benefits for home modification? 

Alex Modric [19:07 - 21:37]: So that's a great question. And, and that's probably the, the one thing that a lot of the listeners are going to be Very curious about because you're telling me that if I have long term care Medicaid I can call up my case manager and ask for a whole ramp or a whole roll. I can, I can convert my shower that I keep tripping in because it's one of those older homes that's like the shower mixed with a bathtub and all I have is a grab bar. I can turn that into a nice roll in shower so I don't have to step over and as I get to get up, that's an actual possibility. So any of you that are reacting to this right now, please be sure to know that that's included, all modifications are included in your long term care Medicaid benefit. So you can call up your case manager today and just go hey, this is medically necessary. The case manager, especially in the state of Florida or for example in Pennsylvania, all the states that I'd listed before, that's your next phone call and just go, hey, you could go to our website as well, which is phoenixproinc.net and go to our services. We have the benefits actually outlined and the code, there's a specific billing code and all of the Medicaid books that is attached to home modifications. So you can call your case manager today and, and request that service. But it's not just the whole months. You know, a lot of people have been shocked before that pest control is included as well as deep cleaning is included. So those benefits are there. I try and educate the health parents as often as I can, especially case managers because what's the one thing that healthcare case managers do? They don't really hold their job too long. Right. It's a high turnover industry and I'm consistently educating the health plan, letting them know like hey, this is the process that you need to make sure that these new case managers understand how to reach out to their providers that are in the network but really advocating for the members directly. You know, I had two meetings today where I sat with an organization that had access to thousands of members and they're sitting there going, I had no idea that this was a benefit. And I have so many different cases right now where I know that Mr. Smith needs a grab bar like yesterday. And you're telling me that this answer was always there. It's in a lot of cases it's life changing, really is. 

Darleen Mahoney [21:38 - 22:26]: Yeah. Well it's also for Medicaid if you think about can save them money long term because if you have someone that is safely getting in and out of the shower and they're not climbing into a bathtub in and out. Once a senior as we know falls and trips, that can be life altering. It can be life changing and that can be something that will send a senior into potentially breaking a hip and then anything like that that happens and the medical bills from that can be incredible. And that senior may never be able to go back home after something depending on the age and you know, clearly the pre existing medical conditions that they have. But that can be really devastating to a senior. 

Alex Modric [22:26 - 23:05]: Yeah, devastating to the, to the, to the members that don't have the long term care Medicaid. Devastating to the long term care Medicaid health plans themselves. Right. Because they're going to be having to pay for that hospital visit. They're going to be having to pay for the member transitioning into the ALF if it's included in the benefit. Right. Um, but you, you talking about a one time project. Our timelines were able to complete projects within like a two to three week window. And you, you now have home that has a higher value to it as well as something that's accessible. And you don't have to worry about going to the bathroom or you don't have to worry about. 

Darleen Mahoney [23:05 - 23:05]: Yeah. 

Alex Modric [23:05 - 24:03]: Or, or you get excited that you can go to the second floor now because there's a stairlift. So it's absolutely incredible. And then you have the pay centers that I referenced before and it's really important that I reiterate this for the listeners because the PACE centers and they're nationwide and I definitely suggest everyone just go to the PACE association, the National PACE association website or your state's association website. Because if you have Medicare or Medicaid and any type of Medicaid and you sign up with that pay center, you're getting access to not only services that we're referencing. Right. But you're also getting access to other services that you might get at an ALF and you get to stay in your home. Their whole focus is for the members to stay in their home. But it's a larger pool of people that have access to those funded services that I definitely want people to hear. 

Darleen Mahoney [24:05 - 25:58]: And when you refer to an ALF for our listeners because they may not know because they're not in the industry, that's an assisted living facility. We like to call them communities because we do want people that are in them or do need to go to them to know that it is more of a community environment. But being able to stay at home and have these modifications is definitely the way to go. Just because you can Absolutely. Get your coffee in the morning and have your family. I always think the longer you can have your family come over and have Christmas with you, have those presents under the tree, have the grandkids and great grands, you know, that that's definitely a life goal. That's really something that you want to continue to have. I always think about my grandmother had Christmas at her house for as long as I can remember. My kids went and had Christmas there. And when the Christmases stopped, the whole family stopped getting together as a whole. She was the glue that held everyone together. Then it became, you know, my aunt's family, they got together in their little family pod and then my mom's family got together. But not everyone came together ever again. She was the glue that held everyone together. And so I do miss those Christmases. They were just the big huge family Christmases. Not that they were ever fancy, but they were just family. So you just, I always think about that. I just think it's always been really important to have that. So. No, I absolutely appreciate that. And I did want to find out do you have like some specific website links URLs and we can share those definitely in the description apps as well. But is it there? Are they just pace.com or are they Org sites or what exactly does that look like? 

Alex Modric [25:58 - 26:30]: So for all of our Florida listeners, if you go right to our website, which is phoenixproinc.net and you go right over to resources that all listed there for our Florida listeners, those are all the programs and I basically just go to the world and I go, these are our clients. But also these are resources for people that need to understand, wait, I don't need to pay for this out of pocket. I have this or I, I might qualify for this particular program. But for everyone that's not, you know, I'm more than happy to, to, to share those links with you. 

Darleen Mahoney [26:30 - 26:30]: Okay. 

Alex Modric [26:30 - 27:30]: And they're able to go there and they're able to read it. But also it's worth giving those programs a call and going, hey, I heard this recently. Is this true? Or giving your case manager a call and going, hey, I've needed this home modification. I have long term care, Medicaid, I can request this service. And that's the number one goal is, like I said, I had two meetings earlier today. I have a bunch of meetings later this week. I am just sharing information and letting people know it's. There is funding available, especially in the state of Florida. But all the other states that I referenced earlier, there's funding available And a lot of these programs really want to spend the money and really want to assist these members and have them come on and qualify, like the pay centers, for example. So it's just spreading the word and hoping and knowing that if I'm able to help one person stay in their home, then I did my job. 

Darleen Mahoney [27:32 - 28:25]: And pace for our listeners is Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly. That's what that stands for. So that's really cool to kind of know what that that means. And so we're going to provide the links within the description of the podcast. So we'll include a couple of those for reference for anyone that's listening. So they have access to that. And then definitely for Phoenix Pro management, and they serve the entire state of Florida. And they would be an excellent resource for any of our Florida listeners who have an interest in any type of home modification. So that would be really great. Alex can help you out with having access to that. And then if they do contact you, do they also. If they have an interest in. Because they can buy direct, or if they want to try to see if they can get access to funding through Medicaid, that something that you can kind of provide that link to as well? 

Alex Modric [28:25 - 29:57]: Definitely, definitely, yeah. So if, if they want to work with us directly, let's say they're able to afford it, they want to do out of pocket. It's very easy to reach out to us. We actually have a little tab on the website. Request a quote, then you fill out the tiny little form, we get an email, and then someone from our team gives you a call within 48 hours and just goes, hey, we have this wonderful request. How can we help you? And we usually go out and do an assessment and provide the. Provide the quote. But when it comes to, you know, seeing the different programs, like I said, it's on the resources page, the information regarding that program, you know, who gets to qualify. I actually link the website, but I also give my own description about the program on the resources page. And then also for the National Pace association, their website URL is N as in Nancy P. As in Peter A online dot org. That's it. And then there's. Literally you click it and let's say you Googled it. There's an option on the main page that says find a program. And they'll. And then you're able to just put in your information in the zip code or the county, even by state, and you'll see which. Which states have pay centers. There's certain pay centers that aren't in certain states, for example, like they're not in Mississippi or Arizona, but you'll see the map instantly when you go to the website. A lot of states are covered and they have the pay centers. But yeah, it's absolutely, absolutely fantastic. 

Darleen Mahoney [29:58 - 31:02]: Yeah. And anyone that's in a state in some of those, call case managers, call your case manager and just see where they can kind of direct you, what direction they can point you in to see if they can help you out. But having those modifications to your home is super important. Don't delay, don't put it off, don't say, I'll do it tomorrow. I live at a house with procrastinators. Both my kids are procrastinators. So I could totally relate to that, but it's too important. I mean, I know that, you know, with my dad, one of he fell and after he fell, he, he was hospitalized, he went. It was the beginning of the end, that fall. And I would hate for anyone to procrastinate is something that could have been simply fixed because of a whole modification would be the reason that that would change someone's life trajectory. It's just not worth it. Just make those calls, get that rocking and rolling and those home modifications done. It's just not. 

Alex Modric [31:03 - 31:23]: And definitely ask questions, ask questions for who you are working with. You know, make sure that you work with a compliant provider or you know, a contractor that really cares about what he does, you know, strives for excellence like we do and place plays by the rule book. That's really, really important. 

Darleen Mahoney [31:23 - 31:55]: But yeah, yeah, I do think it's great that with what you're doing, you specialize in this. So you're not a general contractor that's just out there building homes, building office buildings, doing Renault for the average Joe. So you know your stuff. You know this very specifically inside and out. So I think that that's what makes it really cool if this is something specifically that you're wanting, you're. It's a specialty. So, you know. Yeah, it's like going to an Italian baker if you want Italian goods versus just going to your Publix bakery for Italian. 

Alex Modric [31:55 - 32:26]: Yeah. And especially in the construction industry, you know, contractors are not known for their bedside manner. We are. And that's our focus is really just being, you know, patient and kind and knowing that if Ms. Jones wants to sit down and make me tea and have a 30 minute conversation, it's worth sitting and just listening to this person's story. Because there are instances like that where I've sat down and had tea and it's been wonderful. It has. 

Darleen Mahoney [32:27 - 32:29]: Stuff like that just makes you a better person. 

Alex Modric [32:29 - 32:38]: It does, it does. And then you find you hear some crazy stories from people and you're like, wow, I never expected you dated one of the Kennedys. Oh my gosh, that's crazy. 

Darleen Mahoney [32:39 - 33:07]: I know, I know. I was, My dad was at a senior living community that had a Rockette and she had some stories I'll tell you. Oh. Sometimes you just shouldn't ask certain questions, but yes. Oh, my goodness. Well, before we sign off on the podcast, do you have any last minute things that we didn't talk about that you'd like to share with our listeners? 

Alex Modric [33:07 - 34:36]: No, I mean, really, it's just making sure that people understand that the funding's available, that these services really need a certain approach to it. You need to be curious about it. You need to educate yourself, you need to ask certain questions. When you work with contractors. And especially to our Florida listeners, we're here to assist. We're here to spread this information. We're here to assist with any projects that you might need to get done. But we're also here to partner with organizations. You know, there's a lot of times where organizations need a provider and they have the funding, but they don't know who to work with. And I've heard, you know, situations where an actual organization just goes online and just goes searches home modification provider and then they just recommend the top search result. Gotta be a little bit more curious than that. You gotta understand who you're working with and understand, like I said, there's the bedside manner is required in the work that we do. And being trustworthy is necessary. It's really, really important. But a lot of these projects aren't that expensive. When it really compare and contrast with living in an ALF or a hospital visit or living in a nursing facility, it's a great benefit to members lives and we cannot wait to keep doing the projects that we've been able to do. 

Darleen Mahoney [34:38 - 34:50]: Yeah, absolutely. Now we appreciate it. We appreciate what you've shared with our listeners and their, their caregivers and their families that really care and love them and want them to live in a very safe home. An accessible home. 

Alex Modric [34:50 - 35:05]: Yes. An accessible home. No, it's, it's, it's absolutely fantastic. And I appreciate, you know, the opportunity to speak to your audience and to come on this podcast. We've known each other for a couple years and it has been absolutely wonderful given this opportunity. Thank you again. 

Darleen Mahoney [35:06 - 35:26]: Yeah, you're so welcome. You're so welcome. And thank you to all of our listeners. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, we now have over a hundred podcasts available anywhere you listen. Spotify, Apple Podcast, GoodPods, Babyboomer.org just check us out anywhere. And thank you for listening.