August 21, 2024
“Caring for Our Wisdom Keepers”
From our beginning, HomeFront volunteers have always derived enormous satisfaction out of assisting neighbors who have helped to build up our communities. Together we have helped more than 1,600 neighboring older adults to age in place more safely and healthfully. In honor of National Senior Citizen’s Day, we would like to share with you a few of the homes you have helped us to touch this year. And, of course, we also celebrate the scores of older adults who roll up their sleeves to help others.
At the same time, we are doubling down on our commitment to be a resource for more low-income older adults. We already have requests from 520 older adults in our communities. Your continued support can help us bring to life the spirit that President Reagan invoked when he created this special day with one worthy challenge, “We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older — places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.”
A Retirement “Home Sweet Home” in Need
R-L: George and his new friend and volunteer leader, Bill Fitzpatrick.
George and his wife, Maria, are older adults who enjoy entertaining family and grandkids in their Waterbury home. George proudly would do all the upkeep himself, but this became impossible with his asthma condition, a recent stroke and diminished heart function. He now has only 20% function in his heart. He suddenly found the mounting repair needs around his home to be frustrating and worrisome.
Fortunately for households like George and Maria’s, one organization has consistently put their concerns front and center. The John H. & Ethel G. Noble Charitable Trust has helped us deliver health and safety home improvements to more than 90 low-income older adults in Connecticut since 2010.
Thanks to funding from Noble Trust and phenomenal volunteers from Holy Disciples Parish in Watertown, George and Maria received safety improvements, such as two sets of new railings, repaired steps, tree trimming, new grab bars, lights for better visibility and resolution of three ground faults. For neighbors like George and Maria, subsisting on fixed incomes, newly installed storm doors and windows stretch their dollar through improved energy efficiency. While they were on a roll, the volunteers also repaired sections of siding, painted the exterior and repaired their gutters.
Year-Round Help for Emergency Needs
A very relieved Denise with her new furnace.
So many of our applicants take enormous comfort in the fact that HomeFront now offers volunteer team events in the Spring & Fall. And then, there are cases like Denise’s. Like many of our applicants, Denise is above retirement age but continues to work. She also takes care of five relatives in her home, including a sister who has cervical stenosis of the spine, kidney disease and acute, chronic pain. On top of it all, their furnace gave out on them in the middle of winter.
HomeFront launched its Critical Pro Repair (CPR) service line a few years ago for cases just like this. We delivered space heaters to their Stamford home while seeking funds to come up with a longer-term solution.
In a matter of a few short days, after working our contacts with suppliers and professionals, HomeFront arranged to have a new furnace installed for this deserving family. Not only will the heat make their home more livable, but the new energy-efficient furnace helps them to afford other basics.
CPR involves a few skilled volunteers working year-round with HomeFront to tackle high impact, targeted repairs also at no cost to the beneficiaries.
For neighbors like Denise who are still waiting for help, we are thrilled to recognize the Older Adults (Pathways) Program at the Connecticut Community Foundation for a grant that is helping us tackle CPR projects for older adults in Greater Waterbury.
The Stakes for Neighbors in Their Golden Years Today
It is impossible to overstate the vulnerability of many older adults today. PBS, AARP, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness have reported that older adults represent the fastest growing segment of homeless in recent years. Many factors contribute to this, including rates of inflation for those living on fixed incomes and a crisis in affordable housing shortages. AARP reported that the percentage of homeless over the age of 62 doubled between 2009 and 2017.
The New York Times recently put a spotlight on “solo agers,” those over 65 who are widows or widowers and lack any nearby family. Solo agers account for 26% of CT residents according to Meals on Wheels. One issue facing CT and Westchester County, NY, is that the younger population has plateaued, and children raised in the state are very often unable to afford to build their own lives up in the place where they were raised. The result is a lack of caregivers for the aging.
Within the state of Connecticut, the Department of Aging & Disability Services reports that 25% of state residents are over 60, which is higher than the national average. The number of residents over 85 is expected to double by 2040.
Finally, the National Council on Aging tells us more about challenges faced by older adults:
- Housing costs represent roughly 25% of expenses for all Americans age 65+.
- In 2021, 11.2 million older adults were housing cost–burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing.
- Of homeowners aged 65–79, 41% had mortgage debt in 2022. About 31% of homeowners age 80+ also had mortgage debt.
- About one in four older adults 65+ scrimp on food, utilities, clothing, or medication due to health care costs. And in 2022, 37% of older adults were worried about affording health care in the coming year.
Ensuring Dignity & Independence for Older Adults
Beyond the life-changing examples we see in the stories of George and Denise, there are many other basic improvements that can make a world of difference.
- Tub-to-shower conversions
- Stair lifts
- Wheelchair ramp installations
For your loved ones, the National Institute on Aging has put together a helpful home safety checklist for older adults.
Our Fall HomeFront Days kick off this weekend with many older adults selected for assistance. Before the colder weather arrives, our goal is to assist 20 older adult households through our CPR projects this Fall. We thank you for considering a donation of any amount that can help us give back to those who helped build up the communities we cherish. We can’t wait to share with you the peace of mind we’ll be bringing to them.
