ST. LOUIS PARK PATCH
Link to article in St. Louis Park Patch
Guest Column by Deb Taylor
“I can continue to live independently, thanks to Senior Community Services.”
Helen, 82, has lived in her modest, west metro home for 53 years, but she worried that her days of independence might be coming to a close. While in good health, Helen struggled to accomplish many household tasks like snow-shoveling, window-washing and raking the fall leaves that blanket her spacious lawn.
Helen considered moving to an assisted-living apartment, but the cost made her nervous, and a move would place her farther from her children, grandchildren, and neighborhood friends. Thankfully, Helen’s daughter discovered the Household & Outside Maintenance for Elderly (HOME) program operated by the Minnetonka-based nonprofit Senior Community Services which has been supporting and empowering seniors and their caregivers since 1950.
The HOME program provides affordable services for seniors 60 and older through a network of staff, volunteers, and independent contractors. Seniors contribute to the cost of the services based on their monthly income and their ability to pay. HOME also accepts some insurance payments as well as the Elderly Waiver and the Alternative Care Grant.
These duties include:
· Interior and exterior painting
· Minor repairs and plumbing
· Installation of safety devices
· Housecleaning and laundry
· Errands and grocery shopping
· Snow shoveling
· Leaf raking and other yard chores
· Window washing
· Weatherization
“HOME is a wonderful way to help seniors maintain independence and give caregivers a break from household duties,” says Sue Gallus, HOME director.
“Thanks to Senior Community Services, I can live in my own home longer and enjoy my neighborhood. I’m so grateful,” Helen says.
Since utilizing the HOME program, Helen also has benefited from Medicare counseling to reduce her healthcare costs, and she had a worrisome financial debt from a hospital stay forgiven thanks to help from Senior Community Services’ Senior Partners Care program.
For more information on the Household & Outside Maintenance for Elderly program call 952-746-4046. For details on Senior Community Services’ constellation of other services for seniors and their caregivers, visitwww.seniorcommunity.org or call 952-767-7897.
