Patiently Planning

Ms. P.’s declutter and packing project was open for over 7 months because of difficulties determining where she would move and how to organize her storage items. Tom patiently advised Ms. P. along the way, reasoning through multiple scenarios until she settled on an option that suited her best. We don’t just swoop in and perform tasks – we take the time to understand clients’ needs and their individual circumstances. Ms. P. responded with this note about Tom and a donation for future clients. Ms. P. is a jewel, and we are so pleased that she is set up for her new home.

“Tom was fantastic! Way beyond anyone expectation. A very valuable and loyal employee with very kind heart.”

A Caretaker in Need of Care

This time last year Ms. D. was not only independent, she a primary caretaker in Cleveland, TN. She made this move to Cleveland out of compassion, driven by her understanding of the desire to maintain a familiar lifestyle in one’s own home. Recently Ms. D. had to leave this position because she developed ataxia, a condition that limits her ability to walk and control her fine motor skills. She “falls at the drop of a hat. [Her] limbs give out.”

Thinking of the heart wrenching memory of her father’s last days after his battle with this very same disease, Ms. D. knew it was time to return home and find help. This was a difficult realization for someone who has always been a giver. She made jokes about her kids needing to do a better job of distinguishing between her December birthday and Christmas so that she got her fair share of gifts. But the truth is that Ms. D, a former Room in the Inn volunteer, prefers to give. She was overwhelmed by the positive impact Westminster’s services, from unclogging drains to repairing storm windows to installing a ramp.

Ms. D was very complimentary of Westminster Home Connection staff – especially Don’s persistence in solving some of her long-term plumbing issues. She couldn’t believe his attention to detail throughout the whole house, and she knows a thing or 2 about homes, as the contractor of her own home. After her property burnt down in 2001, Ms. D. redesigned her home, updating the layout to her preferences. She is persistently positive and creative about every obstacle thrown her way, and her optimism shows through in her praise. Ms. D thought of our services and Don’s commitment as an answered prayer. She used to ask God, “Keep me safe. Allow me to stay here.” It has been a blessing to make this possible for her.

Improved Safety

Friday is the start of a long weekend for Ms. B., who works at a pediatric clinic from Tuesday – Thursday. She graciously gave up part of her Friday to recount her experience with Westminster Home Connection. One of the first things she points out is that, “Westminster helps seniors, while I help kids. There’s a nice balance to that, and I’m so grateful that Westminster was able to help me.”

Westminster Home Connection sealed her front doors, installed security doors at front and back entrances, trimmed hedges, installed a removable shower head, provided a shower chair, replaced the aerator in the kitchen faucet, and updated kitchen lights.

The repaired doors and trimmed hedges did so much more than just improve Ms. B.’s access to her entrances. These improvements also added to her safety. Before the doors did not always stay locked, and the overgrown hedges gave the impression that the house may have been abandoned. Now Ms. B. feels safe staying home alone in the evenings. On a lighter note, Ms. B. recounted that our construction team joked that she’ll have to wear sunglasses in the kitchen from now on. She is delighted by the kitchen light. Before, her failing vision and dim lighting, reduced her meal prep to very basic dishes. Now, she can prepare nicer food.

Ms. B. is a storyteller; one powerful account she gave was about a child with cerebral palsy. Her clinic is teaching this child to communicate and navigate with a portable computer. These advancements open the child’s world. Ms. B. saw a parallel between her life-changing work and Westminster Home Connection’s repairs because we improved Ms. B.’s day to day life and left her “with peace of mind.”

Family Strength

The pictures and memorabilia in Ms. A’s kitchen paint a story of a loving family. The fridge is plastered with photos depicting: a father-daughter dance, an adopted grandson, one of the first family members to attend college, and a tenacious granddaughter who loves to tumble.

There are also playful signs of admonition that show Ms. A. runs a tight ship. “Clean up what you mess up” is sassily proclaimed from a hand-made sign by the kitchen sink. In this house, all are welcome to share a meal, but all are equally responsible for their chores. Speaking of sharing a meal, Ms. A. does just that on a regular basis. She picks up donated dinner boxes from church but doesn’t need everything that’s included in the kit; so, she divvies it into parcels and brings the extra food to her neighbors, who cannot leave home.

Ms. A. is equally resourceful about a number of household hacks. She is very grateful for the reattached gutter that Westminster Home Connection fixed at the front of her house, and she added a perforated plastic tube to the end of it to irrigate nearby plants. Her grandson pitches in too. He dutifully painted the handrail that Westminster Home Connection added to her back porch to match their existing railing.

Though Ms. A. is recently widowed, her husband’s presence is always felt in the prominently displayed family Bible filled with his notes and in the memorial stone Ms. A. placed in her front yard. She updates the flowers and decor around this stone with the changing seasons. Her family is very excited about the coming change in season as her grandchildren get ready to return to school. They have an optimistic outlook on education-based opportunities, and they approach the future, knowing that they have each other and caring neighborhood agencies like Westminster Home Connection as resources.

Returning from the Hospital to a Safer Home

After combating a heart related illness, Ms. A. returned home to another battle – managing daily tasks in a weakened condition in a home with frayed wires, flickering lights, and dangerous stairs. She brought her concerns to the attention of her home health workers, who called on Westminster Home Connection to make repairs.

While repairs were ongoing, Ms. A. made another trip to the hospital. This time, she was driving a friend to get medicine. She has lived all of her life in the same community, and her deep ties to the region show through in her attitude that neighbors should “help each other. That’s all we can do [in the face of troubles.]” Just like Ms. A.’s sister watched after her home and dog while she was hospitalized, Ms. A. reciprocates by aiding others.

Now she reflects on how much her life has improved in a few short months. She is much more mobile, she can use the handrail installed by Westminster Home Connection to step down to her car with ease, she has vastly improved interior lighting, and updated smoke detectors. Things literally are brighter for Ms. A., and with her loyal dog by her side, she smiles contentedly about these advances.