CHORE: Helping seniors age in place
“I’ve lived here 40 years. No other place will seem like home, but I don’t feel as safe and secure as I used to.”
This is a common concern of the elderly population, our seniors. Staying in your own home as you get older – “aging in place” – is a worthy goal. However, as we age it becomes increasingly challenging to maneuver in spaces where we’ve lived for years. Our own homes, which at one time were safe, secure and comfortable, are less and less so as our bodies change with age.
Nassau County Council on Aging has been in the business of helping local seniors for the past 50 years. In the early days, the “How can we help?” program provided assistance with home-based tasks. This assistance set the stage for NCCOA’s CHORE small home repair program, helping seniors safely age in place through improved accessibility, better stability and fewer fall risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 28.7% of adults over the age of 65 report falling at least once in the last 12 months. Another study found that 60% of falls happen in the home. Creating a safer space does not necessarily mean big changes. Practical solutions may include a ramp at the front door, grab bars in the tub or shower, nonskid floors – all services provided by the CHORE program, at little to no charge, throughout Nassau County.
Specifically, home exteriors and interiors can both be adapted to a senior’s changing needs. On the outside of your home, multiple stairs and uneven ground elevations create challenges. Oftentimes, this translates to seniors confined in their homes. CHORE volunteers help keep entryways accessible by installing handrails and building ramps.
On the interior, kitchens and bathrooms have the highest potential for safety-related concerns. Falls occurring in the bathroom are more than twice as likely to result in an injury, compared to falls occurring in the living room. Each area requires prolonged standing and balance, both more challenging as we age. CHORE volunteers install handrails, grab bars and assistive products (such as shower benches or floor grippers) to decrease falls and increase peace of mind.
Through our CHORE program, special relationships develop between our volunteers and our seniors. One volunteer shared, “We help seniors stay in their homes, and they help us by sharing their stories. It’s a wonderful two-way street. You don’t work all day at someone’s house without creating some kind of lasting connection.”
CHORE volunteers are needed. Due to the nature of the work, CHORE volunteers have special skill sets, including carpentry, electrical and mechanical, as well as expertise in installation and maintenance. Contact Frances Bartelt, NCCOA volunteer coordinator, at fbartelt@nassaucountycoa.org or 904-775-5484.
CHORE small home repair will not turn back the hands of time, but it can create a safer living space as you age in place.
Sources: National Institute on Aging, National Council on Aging, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hospital for Special Surgery, Injury Epidemiology Journal
Nassau County Council on Aging celebrates our 50th anniversary on February 15, 2024. Our Salute to Seniors 50th Anniversary Gala will be held on Saturday, January 20 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. For the latest and greatest info on our Golden Anniversary and Gala, visit https://nassaucountycouncilonaging.org/50thannivsalutetoseniorsgala.
(Limited sponsorships are available; tickets go on sale in September. Contact Liz Dunn, Marketing Director, at ldunn@nassaucountycoa.org for more info.)