Two kinds of local, publicly funded agencies help people figure out bathroom accessibility before they buy anything: the state Assistive Technology Act program, which lets you see, borrow and compare devices and can point you to financing help, and your Area Agency on Aging, which coordinates services for older adults under the Older Americans Act. Neither one sells walk-in tubs, and neither one is connected to Ella's Bubbles. What they offer is neutral guidance, a home assessment when appropriate, and a map of the programs in your area that may help pay for accessibility changes. This guide explains what each agency does, how to find yours, and what to bring to the conversation.

State Assistive Technology Act Programs

The Assistive Technology Act, administered through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), funds one program in each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the outlying areas. Each program runs a set of core activities:

A bathtub is not something you can borrow for a week, but AT program staff see the full range of bathing equipment, from tub benches and transfer boards to walk-in tubs and roll-in showers, and they can help a family sort out which category fits a person's abilities. Their financing activities are also a good first question, because a state alternative financing program, where one exists, is built to help people pay for assistive technology.

Read the official guidance: ACL Assistive Technology Act programs. The page links to a directory of every state program.

Area Agencies on Aging Under the Older Americans Act

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are the local agencies that plan and coordinate Older Americans Act services in their region, from home-delivered meals and caregiver support to information about home modification and safety. Their information and referral staff know which local programs help older adults stay at home safely, which is where a bathroom accessibility question usually leads. Some AAAs administer or partner with home repair and modification programs directly; others refer you to a housing agency, a Medicaid waiver program or a nonprofit that does the work.

Finding Yours: The Eldercare Locator

The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration for Community Living that connects older adults and their families to local services. Enter your ZIP code or city at eldercare.acl.gov, or call 1-800-677-1116, and it points you to your Area Agency on Aging and other community resources. For the AT program, use the state directory linked from the ACL page above.

What These Agencies Typically Ask and What They Can Point You to

Expect a short intake conversation. Staff usually ask about the person's mobility and balance, whether they bathe alone or with help, what the current bathroom looks like, whether the home is owned or rented, and whether the person is a veteran or enrolled in Medicaid. From there they may point you to:

• An occupational therapy home assessment (see below)
• A state alternative financing program or other AT financing activity
• Medicaid home and community-based waiver programs in your state that consider home accessibility modifications
• VA home modification programs, if the person is a veteran
• Local home repair or aging-in-place programs run by counties, cities or nonprofits
• Rural home repair assistance through USDA Rural Development, for eligible rural addresses

Each of those programs makes its own eligibility decisions. Our article on Medicare, insurance and VA coverage for a walk-in tub explains why Ella's Bubbles cannot bill any of them and how reimbursement, when a program allows it, happens after the purchase.

Occupational Therapy Home Assessments

Many agencies suggest a home assessment by an occupational therapist before a bathroom is changed. The therapist watches how the person actually gets in and out of the bath, measures the room, and writes recommendations that a physician can support with a letter of medical necessity if a funding program asks for one. The assessment also helps you choose well: an OT may recommend a walk-in tub with a seat and a low step-in, or may recommend a low-threshold shower instead, and our comparison of a walk-in tub versus a low-threshold shower is written to be read alongside that advice. If an assessment recommends a walk-in tub, seeing one in person helps; the article on showroom visits and live video tours explains the options.

Documents Ella Can Supply

Ella's Bubbles does not apply for benefits on your behalf, but the team is glad to provide what an agency or funding program asks for:

• A written, itemized proposal for the exact tub configuration
• The model's specification sheet with dimensions, weights, step-in height and electrical requirements
• Product documentation, including the owner's manual and warranty information
• Accessibility details, summarized in our accessibility and wheelchair answers

Ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850, or open a request at ellasbubbles.com/support.

Related Guides

• Will Medicare, insurance or the VA pay for my walk-in tub?
• Financing your walk-in tub
• Proposals and order confirmations

Common Questions