opinion
As the nation observes Older Americans Month, we’re also actively combating a global pandemic where citizens are being asked to practice social distancing in order to "flatten the curve" and protect the most vulnerable populations: individuals with preexisting conditions and older adults. These collective sacrifices weigh more heavily on vulnerable populations as they deal with being cut off from family and caregivers who work to ensure they can remain safe in their homes.
For the last 45 years, People Working Cooperatively (PWC) has been committed to serving low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners across Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky and Indiana. At our core, we repair homes, but since this crisis hit our community, it has become clear that our mission of keeping people safe and secure is more critical now than ever, as home is where many of us are safest from the potentially devastating impact of COVID-19.
The economic and social impact of the coronavirus cannot be overstated, especially for those already experiencing hardships before the onset of the pandemic. People are facing uncertainty like never before, and PWC is working to ensure homeowners across the region have a safe home to shelter in during this time. Thanks in part to the receipt of $175,000 in COVID-19 Regional Response Funds grants, PWC has begun more than 500 urgent health and safety projects. However, there are several thousand emergency requests still in queue.
We continue to address emergency repairs for regular clients, while also expanding services to those impacted by COVID-19, including furloughed workers who can no longer afford to pay for necessary home repairs and COVID-19 patients or caregivers who need accessibility modifications to return home. This enables us to serve as a much-needed lifeline for those who find themselves in new, uncertain circumstances.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8 out of 10 coronavirus deaths reported in the U.S. have been in adults 65 and older. As COVID-19 clusters continue to impact senior communities at an alarming rate, we anticipate an increase in multigenerational households as older Americans are transitioned out of assisted living and nursing care facilities. The responsibility of preparing families for aging in place planning, as well as accessibility modification services, is paramount – especially amidst an everchanging "new normal" as those over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay home and avoid public gatherings for an undetermined amount of time. The need will continue to increase as the senior population continues to grow in the years to come.
Traditionally, the majority of those we serve fall into two categories:
- The elderly, who worked hard and purchased their homes, but now only have social security for income;
- Those who have suffered an accident or illness that has changed their life trajectory. These homeowners use their limited dollars to buy necessities like food, utilities, and medicine, leaving very little left for crucial home repairs.
We install stairlifts for people like Linda of Colerain, who can now safely help her spouse, an amputee, up and down the stairs and make it to his dialysis appointments. We also install doors for people like Patricia of Westwood, who once wedged knives in between her door and doorframe with a chair propped behind it, hoping to keep out any potential intruders. Both of these real-life examples increased safety, calmed fears and provided these clients the ability to remain safely in their homes.
This year’s Older Americans Month theme is "Make Your Mark," highlighting the difference everyone can make in the lives of older adults, in support of caregivers and to strengthen communities. What will our "mark" be when history looks back on how we supported those most vulnerable to this public health crisis?
PWC will continue to provide people with critical home repairs, but beyond this, let’s all agree to connect with those you love and those within your communities to ensure they are safe and healthy at home. We’re all in this together.
Jock Pitts is president and CEO of People Working Cooperatively.
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May 31, 2020 at 06:16PM
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Opinions: Virus impact on elderly cannot be overstated - The Cincinnati Enquirer
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