After many falls, multiple broken bones, and a few hospital stays, Pam was afraid to go out of her front door in Centennial. When Habitat Metro Denver installed grab bars, handrails and other safety devices in her home, she immediately felt more secure – and comfortable venturing out again.
“Habitat made me feel a lot more comfortable in my own house and I go out the door all the time now,” shares Pam. “Grab bars are pretty important, but you don’t realize you need them.”
Pam and her husband have lived in their home for 40 years, and it has become a hub of family memories. Pam was a teacher, then a software tester later in her career. Her husband still works at a supermarket in the cheese department.
Together, they’ve struggled to make the updates needed to keep their home safe and protected from the elements. Pam has some lingering physical challenges from a fall, and her husband often expends all his energy at work, on his feet and engaging with customers.
After a recent hospital stay, Pam’s occupational therapist suggested that she learn more about Habitat Metro Denver’s Community Aging in Place – Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) program for home health support and home improvements. Habitat Metro Denver and the Colorado Visiting Nurse Association (CVNA) are the partners behind CAPABLE, which provides medical consultation and home repairs to improve comfort and mobility for lower-income homeowners.
The home health support – and home improvements done by Habitat – are helping Pam and her partner feel more confident and independent in their home.
In only two days, Habitat volunteers installed grab bars on front and back doors of Pam’s home and in her shower. They also added an iron handrail up the outdoor stairs to her home and put in paver stones at the back door to make it safer to step into the yard.
“My husband helps me get in and out of the house when he is home, but I need the railing for the front steps when he isn’t here,” shares Pam. Habitat staff also put in handrails going upstairs to the bedrooms and downstairs to the laundry.
The big challenge was her triangle-shaped bathtub with rounded corners which defied standard shower chairs. Habitat researched the tubs and found a drop-down chair that worked in a corner. And, they also put in a grab bar.
“I am thrilled with the shower seat because it goes up and down. I want to sit there all day,” shares Pam.
“I am just very happy and grateful to Habitat.” shares Pam “I am so grateful that I can use my home more fully and safely. It has truly been life changing for me – like winning the lottery.”
“Habitat made me feel a lot more comfortable in my own house .”
– Pam, CAPABLE’s partner
