Housing and Health Care for Rural Communities Using the Elder Care Housing Opportunities (ECHO) Approach

Phase I of this SBIR proposal will study the feasibility of ECHO housing accompanied with Home Health Care insurance, as a revenue-generating opportunity for rural communities. The proposed objectives are summarized as follows: 1. To perform three needs assessments in the state of Vermont of homeowners 55 years old and over living in rural areas. To ascertain a. the feasibility of ECHO housing in rural Vermont; b. to ascertain the feasibility of Home Health Care needs; c. To ascertain the feasibility of ECHO units being placed on another's property. 2. To investigate insurance companies to determine an appropriate home health care policy at the lowest cost to accompany ECHO housing. 3. To study the feasibility of conducting educational workshops and focus groups at selected rural senior centers. 4. To study the feasibility of conducting an educational seminar via Vermont Interactive Television, reaching rural elders throughout the state.