Podcast: What it means to age in place—for the individual and for caregivers

HHL Representation: Pam Toto

Podcast: Assistive Technology Update

HHL Representation: Paulina Villacreces and Jon Pearlman

Podcast: Episode 15:5 Dr. Pamela Toto on the New Healthy Home Lab at the University of Pittsburgh

HHL Representation: Pam Toto

National Home Performance Conference 2025

Tackling the Invisible Environment: Implementing an Air Quality Assessment Program within Home and Community Based Service Models

Pamela Toto, Steven Albert

Aging in place is the ability of an older adult to safely and independently complete the daily activities they want, need and are expected to do in their homes and communities. Predicated on a good person-environment “fit”, home and community-based services (HCBS) support aging in place through the assessment of the physical, visible environment and provision of low-cost home modifications, but lack resources to tackle invisible environmental health hazards such as air quality. To address this problem, the University of Pittsburgh’s Healthy Home Lab (HHL) developed and implemented an air quality assessment and mitigation program in partnership with 4 regional HCBS agencies. This presentation will highlight steps of the process including results of a summary review of existing evidence-based assessments and interventions used to address indoor air quality and mold related issues, development of the Healthy Home Assessment Tool (H-HAT), performance assessment of consumer-grade indoor air quality monitors that measure common air pollutants, and implementation of H-HAT with remediation (N=43) for home-dwelling older adults in Western Pennsylvania. Facilitators and barriers related to the H-HAT development and implementation process will be highlighted, and resources that allow for replication of this program to promote aging in place will be shared.

The work that provided the basis for this presentation was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (PAHHU0071-22). The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government.

​National Home Performance Conference 2025

Expanding the Concept of Home Modifications: Defining Smart Home Safety Technology for Aging in Place

Yong Choi, Steven Handler

Learning Objectives:

By attending this session, attendees will:

• Identify key categories and examples of smart home safety technologies that align with the Age-Friendly Health Systems framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility).
• Differentiate traditional home modifications from smart home safety technologies and explain how this expanded definition enhances support for aging in place.
• Apply practical strategies to evaluate smart home safety technologies based on criteria such as usability, affordability, connectivity, maintenance, and alignment with older adults’ needs and preferences.

The work that provided the basis for this presentation was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (PAHHU0084-23). The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government.

​Pennsylvania Technology Summit – Pittsburgh

Tips for a Successful Smart Home Technology Installation

Jack Fried