We've heard often that Kentucky has a housing crisis, typically in reference to the lack of housing.

But for many seniors, it's an inability to live safely in their own homes because of lack of assistive devices like grab bars.

A Lexington program is looking to help change that so that the city's senior citizens can age in place.

We are here at the home of Dick and Barbara Wilkins.

They're right here with me, and they have lived on Clearwater Way for nearly 30 years, and they are committed to aging independently in the place that they love best.

Like many older adults, they reached a point where they needed a little assistance to ensure their home was safe and accessible.

The main thing about this program is it doesn't require you, doctor.

It doesn't require a therapist to to write a prescription.

Anyone can call.

There's only three things that you need to be to be able to apply to this program.

You have to be over 62.

You have to live in Lexington or Fayette County, and there's an income qualified, and the income is 80% of the average median income of the same size household.

It's no secret that a lot of folks are facing an affordability crisis in our country.

It's something that my neighbors and I are feeling every day.

And too often we leave older Lexington, our aging neighbors, out of that discussion, and all too often it puts them at risk of losing the ability to age independently, safely, and with dignity in their own homes.

Together with our wonderful partners at Bluegrass Care Navigators, we are showing up for our seniors and our aging neighbors in a real, tangible way.

I came here and was able to sit down with Wilkins and, and just first just talk to them about, you know, what was going on, what was their strengths and weaknesses, what things were happening, who were making them uncomfortable.

And so we went through the house step by step.

Many seniors live in homes that aren't equipped to keep them safe and able from, and able to age in place.

When homes are safer, families worry less.

They know their loved ones can navigate their space with reduced risk of injury.

Preventing a single fall can save thousands in medical cost and reduce the need for assisted living.

As a therapist is, I'm always meeting people after they've had permanent damage, have a hip surgery or back surgeries or fractured shoulders.

And this program is proactive.

It's in the city and BCN partnering together to be proactive about stopping this before it happens.

I had a woman stop me three weeks ago when I was walking in and I said goodbye.

And, you know, it's really, really good to be with you.

I'm glad I got to know you.

And she stopped me because I was going out the door and she wouldn't.

And she grabbed on to my arm.

She said, no one has ever given me anything like this.

I've met so many people who've done so many things self-insure.

And to be able to be, to say, okay, now you know, it's your turn, now it's your turn.

And you'd be surprised how uncomfortable they get sometimes.

Well, I don't know, maybe this should go to somebody else.

And I'm like, no, no.

I'm here.

I'm here now.

We're going to do this, and then you can walk away from it out thinking to yourself, okay, that was a get down.

Lexington's home modification program is scheduled to run through 2028.