Finding Safety and Strength at Home Again.
After a devastating fall down the stairs of her two-story townhome, Phyllis found herself gripped by fear. The simple act of walking to her bedroom or stepping into the shower became overwhelming. But thanks to Habitat Metro Denver’s CAPABLE program, Phyllis is rediscovering confidence, comfort, and safety in the home she’s loved for nearly two decades.
“Habitat gave me a real gift—the gift of security,” Phyllis says with heartfelt gratitude.
The fall happened in April. Phyllis broke multiple bones and suffered a serious concussion. During her long recovery, a neighbor told her about CAPABLE—Community Aging in Place – Advancing Better Lives for Elders—a partnership between Habitat and the Colorado Visiting Nurse Association. The program combines medical support from a visiting nurse and occupational therapist with home modifications that make living spaces safer for older adults.
In September, Habitat staff arrived at Phyllis’s home with compassion and purpose. They installed a second handrail on the staircase to her bedroom, grab bars in her shower, a toilet riser, and safety railings at her front door, garage entrance, and patio. Each modification was thoughtfully chosen to help Phyllis move through her home with ease and peace of mind.
“I’ve lived here for 17 years and never imagined I would fall,” says Phyllis, who retired in 1995 as a federal employment process manager. Retirement didn’t slow her down—she remained active as a school board member, a fair housing advocate, and a mentor to troubled teens. “I was always a go-go-go woman.”
Coming to terms with her new reality wasn’t easy. “It was hard to accept that my house needed to be ‘Phyllis-proofed,’” she admits. “But I had to face what happened and what I now need to stay safe and independent.”
Though she didn’t share the emotional toll with the Habitat team, their kindness and reassurance made a lasting impact. “They explained everything so clearly and made me feel like I wasn’t alone,” she says.
Before the modifications, Phyllis rarely left her bedroom. She was afraid to shower, afraid to fall again. Now, she moves through her home with confidence.
“I feel secure. I believe I’ll be okay and never have another accident,” she says, her voice full of hope. “What Habitat did for me—it’s like they gave me gold.”
“I feel secure. I believe I’ll be okay and never have another accident,
– Phyllis, CAPABLE’s partner
