Public Authority Consumer Jeronima Gets Her Independence Back
In February 2024, Jeronima, a 61-year-old Latina residing in San Jose, California, faced a life-altering illness that left her bedbound and in need of immediate support. Referred to Public Authority Services by Sourcewise (Public Authority) through Adult Protective Services, Jeronima’s condition, including Muscular Dystrophy and memory loss, severely impacted her mobility and made her daily life unmanageable.
To address her needs, Jeronima was enrolled in the Care Coaching program at the Public Authority. The Registry Manager, Angelina Soria, along with Care Coordinators, conducted an initial home visit to assess her situation. They evaluated her home environment and identified areas requiring improvement. The On-Call Registry provided several care providers and facilitated an increase in Backup Provider System (BUPS) hours from 80 to 160, with approval from Jeronima’s IHSS Social Worker. This increase ensured that she received the necessary support even after her regular authorized hours. Ultimately, Jeronima was matched with a full-time Independent Provider through the Registry, who assisted with personal care and helped create a safe and functional living space.
Jeronima’s living conditions were initially challenging. She lived in a two-bedroom, two-bath condo but was bed bound due to Muscular Dystrophy, with limited mobility. Despite having functional hands, she struggled with short-term memory loss and had accumulated excessive items, restricting access to essential areas like the kitchen, living room, and restroom.
Recognizing the need for further assistance, Jeronima was referred to the Home Beautification and Intergenerational Activities program by Sourcewise. This program played a crucial role in transforming her living space. Seventeen boxes of clutter were removed, her bed was re-positioned to better accommodate her adaptive equipment, and living room furniture was rearranged for safer maneuverability. Additionally, her bathroom received a deep cleaning, and her kitchen cabinets were organized to make everything within easy reach. Her refrigerator was stocked with food as she applied for CalFresh, and the patio was cleaned with a lock installed on the sliding door.
