North West Housing Partnership administers 'Aging in Place' Program
North West Housing Partnership is proud to be administering the CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders) program, which has a goal to help senior citizens remain in their homes as long as possible.
This pilot program is modeled after one that was developed at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and is the first of its kind to be implemented in the Chicago area.
The Northwest Suburban CAPABLE Program was developed by the Northwest Suburban Housing Collaborative, a partnership including the villages of Palatine, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect and Buffalo Grove, and the city of Rolling Meadows.
The municipalities formed this partnership to address housing objectives collaboratively, including helping seniors to be safe and independent in their homes.
The program helps seniors who are cognitively intact and able to stand (with or without assistance) to overcome barriers to independent living. These barriers could include challenges with dressing, cooking, or using the restroom.
Coordinated services include an occupational therapist (OT) and a registered nurse (RN), both of which are provided by program partner Attuned Care. A North West Housing Partnership vetted and insured handyman is also part of the CAPABLE program, and all three service providers visit participating seniors in their homes.
"The Village of Mount Prospect is excited to be a partner in this innovative program, and we look forward to CAPABLE serving the population of seniors 65 and older in the communities of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine and Rolling Meadows," said Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene A. Juracek.
"The overall goal of CAPABLE is to provide support for our senior population so that they can remain in the comfort of their own homes, whenever possible," said Robyn Sandys, executive director of Schaumburg-based North West Housing Partnership.
"Other goals are to decrease, or even eliminate, emergency room visits and hospital stays."
Participating seniors receive at-home visits from the OT (up to six visits), RN (up to four visits), and up to a day of repairs by the handyman; services occur over a four-month time frame.
The OT assists seniors so that they can overcome barriers to daily living activities, and also conduct home safety assessments. When safety needs are identified - such as the need for grab bars, door handles, hand rails, carpet repairs, or similar items - the handyman will address them.
The RN reviews medications that seniors are taking, determines if there are possible adverse side effects or conflicting medications, evaluates pain management, and can interface with a primary doctor, as needed.
The only costs associated with the program for participants are the handyman services and materials. Fees generally range between $10 and $30 per hour, plus a share of the cost of materials, based on income. There is no charge if the household income for one person is up to $18,000 per year, or for two people, up to $22,000 per year.
This program is co-sponsored and supported by North West Housing Partnership, Attuned Care, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, BRicK Partners, Northwest Suburban Housing Collaborative, Enterprise Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, and the Retirement Research Foundation.
To apply for the CAPABLE program, seniors or their caregivers must contact North West Housing Partnership by calling (847) 969-0561 or email robynsandys@nwhp.net.