Checking with volunteer groups is your best bet. Start with churches, veterans organizations, Boy Scouts, JROTC, or RSVP, etc. for volunteer muscle power and possibly skilled or professional help. Someone, somewhere in your community will volunteer or steer you in the right direction. If you find someone to build it, then ask around at the big home and garden stores to see if they have free or discount materials. Check with your local Habitat for Humanity group to see if they have a materials reclaiming center. Our town has one called Re-Store which has leftovers, recycles and rejects from various building projects at half the price or less than other places. It's basically a builders flea market. And don't forget to have detailed plans drawn up and get a building permit for your remodel. The whole project can cost between $2000-10000 or more without the volunteers and free materials. Good luck.
Look for the AT&T Pioneers in your area as they have built a number of ramps free of charge in my area as part of their mission. They are a volunteer organization of AT&T employees and I am fairly certain they are a national organization.
I have never heard of the VA helping out with a bathroom remodeling. If they would, I would be the first in line. Either get a loan, make a deal with a contractor, or check the volunteer groups that do remodeling for folks with financial needs. Still trying to get my bathroom remodeled...
VA will help if its related to a military disability, but they don't do remodels....you can get hand held shower heads, bars, shower chairs etc., to make the use of the bathroom safer.
Check with your state's assistive technology project. They will have information about home modification and financing options/programs available. These may include low-cost loans or assistance from charitable organizations. Head to your favorite search engine and type "assistive technology project" and your state (you can try this link but it may disappear: http://www.resnaprojects.org/allcontacts/statewidecontacts.html). Also check with your area agency on aging for similar programs as well as contractors in the area (eldercare.gov).
I hear that hospice is very helpful but it actually depends on how bad the situation is, and I suppose what you need done. I just saw a commercial last night about walk in tubs for $150 a month, too.
Kcandrick is correct, if the veteran is service connected for the need.. The VA put a rolling shower in the master bath and grab bars in each of the bathrooms.. BUT as usual with the VA it took about 7 months for the process to be done, as you have to be evaluated by OT and PT (at least here in N Florida) and they come out to access your home for needs.
If your loved one is a veteran, and especially one with service connected disabilities, the VA is my off the cuff as well but as Mymares states, that will take a while. Also, groups like VFW may also have assistance available. That was rumored to us. My FIL said that he called the VFW and they built a ramp on a friend's house some years back.
Where we live, the local county senior services support non-profit has some sort of program to do work around the house.
Where we live, the local county senior services support non-profit has some sort of program to do work around the house.
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