At Happy in My Home, Community Support Services of Niagara, our mission is to help older adults remain safely and comfortably in their homes for as long as possible. Through our home safety visits, within our Safety at Home Program, we identify potential hazards and provide practical solutions to reduce the risk of falls and improve quality of life.
Recently, The Current on CBC Radio featured our work in an interview with Laurie Elliott-Leach, our Safety at Home Program Manager, during a home safety visit with Linda, a 72-year-old woman living in a 70-year-old trailer. While Linda treasures her home, it presents several challenges, such as tight spaces, a wobbly walker, and a bathtub that makes showering unsafe.
As Laurie explains during the interview, “It’s not about telling someone that they can’t live in their home. My job is to help make their home as safe as possible so they can continue living there.”
Linda, who has faced many mobility challenges, shared her feelings about the program: “It means the world to me to have someone come in and help me. I’m just so grateful for the support. It’s a big weight off my shoulders to know I can get some help with making my home safer.”
Laurie’s assessment led to several suggestions, including the installation of grab bars, improved lighting, and exploring a lift to make mobility easier. Linda, who loves her home and her cats, expressed her feelings about staying there: “I’m not going into a home. I’ve been here 36 years, and I want to stay as long as I can.”
At Happy in My Home, we understand that even small changes can make a big difference in maintaining independence. We also connect individuals with other important services, like occupational therapy, home health stores and housekeeping, to ensure that older adults have the support they need to live independently.
A special thank you to CBC’s The Current for featuring our program and helping spread awareness about the importance of home safety and support services. The full interview with Laurie and Linda can be heard on The Current’s website, showcasing how simple home adjustments can improve the lives of older adults in our community.
Please click here to listen to our feature
Safety at Home specifics occur at the 21-minute mark
If you or a loved one are concerned about fall risks or home safety, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free home safety assessment. We’re here to help!
Read more about our Safety at Home program here
