Rebuilding Together Rogue Valley

Rebuilding Together Rogue Valley (RBTRV) is a nonprofit that serves older adults and people with disabilities living on a low income in Jackson and Josephine Counties. Our mission is to work to keep older adults safe in their homes. In the past six years we have been able to serve more than a thousand households helping to keep their older adults and people with disabilities safe in their homes. The services that we provide are free to our clients. Consider the following:

• During the first year of the COVID pandemic in 2020 nearly 60% of the people who died from COVID in Oregon were older adults living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 
• AARP surveys consistently show that older people want to remain in their homes. 
• Falls are a leading cause why older adults end up needing extended stays in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• According to the National Vital Statistics Reports, falls are the leading cause of death from injury among older people. 
• The CDC reports that every 11 seconds an elderly person is hospitalized after falling, at a cost of more than $30,000. 
• The CDC estimates the total medical cost of falls across the U.S. healthcare system is $50 billion annually of which nearly 80% is paid by Medicare and Medicaid. 

The most prevalent service that RBTRV provides is an in-home fall risk assessment. The fall risk assessment is conducted by a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) who has been trained by the National Association of Home Builders. The CAPS Specialist walks around the home with the owners having a conversation about their concerns about falling and safety. For a few homeowners we are able to employ the services of a specially trained Occupational Therapist to conduct a more thorough safety assessment. Most often a fall risk assessment results in the same day installation of low-cost high impact safety equipment such as grab bars, handheld shower wands, shower stools, toilet risers and vertical floor to ceiling grab bars, and inside and outside railings. 

These photos show the installation of two grab bars, a shower wand and clamp and a shower transfer bench (left) and toilet riser with railings and a grab bar (right).  

Every year RBTRV can install ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant wheelchair ramps for people with disabilities who live on a low income. Our ramps may vary in size from 12’ to 50’ with one or two switchbacks or turns in many of the longer ramps. RBTRV has funding to build about 20 wheelchair ramps per year. 

This is a 47-foot ramp that RBTRV built in Grants Pass to replace the help of a neighbor who was using a forklift to help an older person in a wheelchair to get in and out of his house.

This is a 47-foot ramp that RBTRV built in a south Medford trailer park that allowed an elderly couple, one in a wheelchair, to safely evacuate from the Almeda Wildfire. 

RBTRV has funding that allows us to do even more substantial repairs for a small number of qualified clients. We prefer to target older adults, people with disabilities, Latino/a, and Vets who live on a low income. We might be able to spend as much as $20,000 – $25,000 to replace a roof or siding, remodel a bathroom to make it completely assessable, replace a failing or broken HVAC system or another major repair that will help our client to remain safe in their home.  

These photos show a bathroom remodel where we widened the doorway to allow for wheelchair accessibility; replaced a tub with a roll-in chair accessible shower; rebuilt and lowered the floor; and redesigned and installed a new sink and toilet that allowed a wheelchair to maneuver in the bathroom. 

RBTRV performs all these repairs at no cost to our clients. If you have a loved one or know of someone who might need a fall risk assessment and the same day installation of low-cost high impact safety equipment, please call Rebuilding Together Rogue Valley at 541-261-2037. To see if someone might qualify for a wheelchair ramp or other home repairs call us at 541-261-2037. 

Rogue Valley Voices

In 2023 we highlight local organizations whose projects contribute so much to the betterment of our community, our valley and the larger world.  By showcasing them we support their work, and encourage others to join their efforts for the greater good.