Seniors can ‘age in place’ in their homes through Empowering Program
North West Housing Partnership (NWHP), a Schaumburg-based nonprofit that provides housing opportunities for low to moderate income residents, is launching a program that helps seniors to be independent and “age in place” in their homes. The Older Adult Homes Modification Program (OAHMP) is made possible through grant funding provided by HUD and offers free home modifications to reduce the risk of falling, and improve overall safety and accessibility for income qualified seniors ages 62 years of age and up living in suburban Cook County.
OAHMP provides an occupational therapist (OT) as part of the program who visits seniors in their homes to evaluate physical abilities and needs. The OT then recommends home modifications that can include (but are not limited to) the installation of grab bars, railings, risers for chairs and sofas, temporary ramps and more. These vital changes in the home environment can help seniors and their families avoid the high costs of moving to nursing homes or other assisted living facilities, while improving their quality of life and physical capabilities in their own homes.
“This program provides low cost, high impact modifications to empower seniors to be more independent, helping them to be safer and more self-sufficient as they stay in the place they call home,” said NWHP Executive Director Paula Bush. “We strongly encourage seniors or their family members to reach out to us to learn more about how to qualify for this important and life-changing program.”
View an interview with Bush about this empowering program at https://tinyurl.com/NWHP-Empowers-Seniors.
In addition to the OT, a registered nurse evaluates any health challenges and subsequent physical needs, as well as an insured handyperson who performs the work, at no cost to the homeowner. The program is focused on overall safety for seniors as they age, due to their continually evolving needs, and ensures they and/or their caregivers are highly involved in the needs assessment process. If you are a senior homeowner in need of safety and accessibility modifications to continue living in your home, or a caregiver for a senior who has these needs, call NWHP at (847) 969-0561 to learn more.
NWHP currently administers OAHMP in the following communities: Arlington Heights, Bellwood, Berwyn, Broadview, Buffalo Grove, Cicero, Des Plaines, Maywood, Mount Prospect, Northlake, Palatine, River Forest and Rolling Meadows, and in towns located in Palatine Township or Wheeling Township. NWHP partners with established nonprofits, in addition to state and local government organizations, to serve their elderly populations through this program. If your community is not listed, you are encouraged to contact NWHP to determine if OAHMP can be provided in your area.