Aging in Place: A Success Story
Aging in Place by Sourcewise exists to help older adults age safely in their own homes through providing home safety services and items. These home safety services and items range from grab bars in the shower to a home ramp installation. For one Aging in Place (AIP) participant, the item he desperately needed was a power wheelchair.
John B. has been wheelchair-bound for years. In his younger days he worked for the County of Santa Cruz performing maintenance and janitorial work. As part of his duties, he was consistently lifting heavy boxes and climbing tall ladders, straining his back and incurring many falls. The years of demanding physical labor, coupled with a variety of mental health struggles led to John becoming reliant on a wheelchair. Eventually, he received an electric wheelchair through Medicare. However, this wheelchair quickly proved to be faulty, as the anti-tip wheels fell off and he would frequently almost spill out of the chair, saved only by his safety belt. Over the course of six months John spent over 50 hours speaking with various representatives from Medicare looking to get his chair fixed. Without a safe and reliable power wheelchair he became homebound and barely left his apartment.
All that changed one day when John received a flyer in the mail advertising Aging in Place by Sourcewise. Frustrated and looking for any chance to be independent and mobile again, he dialed the number on the flyer and became connected to Monica, the AIP case manager. Following a quick assessment, he was able to apply for and receive his power wheelchair, at no personal cost, within a month.
To John, the power wheelchair is not only a home safety item but his link to the outside world. Describing his experience with Aging in Place, he says: “Without getting ahold of Monica and Sourcewise I never would have gotten this chair, and it is an absolute godsend. It’s not just a wheelchair, but a pair of legs. I can’t thank the team enough. It helps in every aspect of my life.” He is now able to take short rides around his apartment complex, partake in the complex’s social activities, and pick up his own medications at the local drug store.
Sourcewise is proud to provide home safety supplies to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. When describing the program, Monica says, “Aging in Place is a testament to resilience, independence, and the enduring power of home.” If you or a loved one is interested in learning more, call a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.