By Ronnetta Pruitt
Offering these services opens a new range of opportunities for us to further help clients in and around the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocesan area.
Recently, a senior man came to us for help after he was evicted from his apartment in midtown Kansas City. With the absence of family and friends, he had nowhere left to turn. Desperate, he shared his predicament with a fellow parishioner who suggested Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
Due to his immobility and lack of transportation, he couldn’t make it to our offices located off Blue Parkway. Instead, a Welcome Center Resource Specialist was able to meet him in the community to provide services onsite. They sat down together and discussed the various roadblocks in his life, immediately identifying his need for permanent low-income based housing.
Within a month, we were able to enroll him in our program and obtain permanent housing in one of our senior care properties.
Senior Care Services was then able to focus on the intricacies and often-overlooked problems low-income seniors face such as transportation, miscellaneous household items and errands, and companionship. This new program is designed to allow seniors the freedom to live more empowered and independent lives within their own homes.
With one Registered Nurse and an In-Home Service Coordinator, no senior is turned away. Our aim is to reach the senior population who would otherwise be unable to obtain the help they so desperately need.
Our Senior Care Services includes the following:
Inspection Correction Many times, clients run into issues where they are given 14-days to correct various housekeeping deficiencies or 30-days to find suitable housing. This puts many people in a tough position, as these often appear to be insurmountable tasks. When this occurs, our Service Coordinator steps in to assist clients in maintaining their homes. We have found this service is especially beneficial for clients with physical limitations and has truly increased their quality of life.
Wellness Clinics Maintaining health and wellbeing in seniors is of huge importance, especially among low-income populations who might not otherwise have access to basic health information and education. It is of great priority to help seniors understand and manage their blood pressure, glucose, pulse, respiration and oxygen saturations. These basic wellness clinics are provided at our senior housing properties, community fairs, and will expand into rural and disaster-struck areas. This service is provided onsite in the community at various locations in Kansas City.
COVID Statement Since March 2020, the In-Home program has not been able to accept any new clients or provide any face to face services, such as inspection correction and wellness clinics. However, Catholic Charities has been able to provide some In-Home Services, such as running errands for essential items during the COVID 19 pandemic. Catholic Charities’ In-Home program continues to have contact with our clients and work to meet their needs in a safe and dignified manner.
Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph is proud to work with seniors and empower them to lead dignity-filled lives. For more information on Senior Care Services or In-Home Care, contact Kisha Thomas at kthomas@ccharities.com or call 816-659-8237.
“Stand up in the presence of the elderly and show respect for the aged.” -Leviticus 19:32
