Wish Book 2018: Avenidas helps elderly residents maintain independence
Martha, 86, whose only income comes from
"I didn't know where our next dollar was going to come from for groceries or gas for the car," said Wendy, who is now her mother's caregiver.
This past April, a local hospital told the Fryes about
Avenidas offers a variety of low-cost and free services for older residents, including emergency funds of up to
"Life is becoming so expensive for most people in our area, except for the very wealthy," said
The emergency assistance was a godsend for the Fryes, but they say Avenidas' case management services are what really got them back on track. The nonprofit offers case management services to 50 residents.
About 50 clients benefit from the emergency fund, all of whom receive in-home consultations to find out how well they are eating, how mobile they are, the state of their mental health and their financial situation. These clients receive free home visits from case workers on a regular basis for years, if necessary. Hospitals and physicians also refer low-income, elderly patients to Avenidas, knowing that its caregivers have a more intimate relationship with clients.
"We get contacted by doctors because they can't see the clients in the home, but we can pick up where they hand off," elder care consultant
Farber helped the Fryes qualify for a 25 percent utility discount, grocery assistance from CalFresh that amounts to
"There is hope now," Wendy said. "The weight of getting better and not having to fall behind on our house payments, that's so major.
"Emily just came in and said, 'We can do this.' Suddenly, there was a list of things to work on, not just our wheels spinning. None of these things would have happened without Emily."
It's not just older residents living on fixed incomes that benefit from Avenidas' case management services.
"Literally, it's made our lives possible," Lierle said. "It's helped us stay in our home instead of going to a home. Avenidas is supportive of independent living."
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