Meet Hattie, A CAPABLE Partner

This past year, we partnered with the Colorado Visiting Nurses Association (CVNA) and together we’ve helped sixty homeowners across metro Denver “age in place” through the CAPABLE program (Community Aging in Place – Advancing Better Living for Elders).

CAPABLE’s services include ten, 60- to 90-minute home visits with an occupational therapist, a registered nurse, and a handyman (aka Habitat Metro Denver) who work together with elderly individuals to identify mobility and self-care issues in their homes and fix or modify them.

One of our recent CAPABLE partners is 89-year old Hattie, a great-grandma who purchased her bi-level home in Aurora in 1976.  Today, Hattie is full of joy, confidence, and energy – and she credits a lot of her current disposition to the CAPABLE program.

“I never thought someone could come into my home, be so supportive, and help repair things so that I don’t have to leave my home,” Hattie shares about her CAPABLE partnership. “I didn’t think programs like this existed!”

Hattie has struggled in recent years to feel comfortable moving around her house – especially with two sets of stairs to navigate.  Habitat for Humanity was able to assist Hattie by installing handrails on both sides of the stairs, adding grab bars in the bathroom, and installing an additional step so that Hattie can get into the house from the garage more easily.  Hattie’s now more confident in her mobility both inside and outside of her home. “I’ve overcome a lot,” Hattie reflects. “I’m able to get out of the house and get exercise. I even went to the Cherry Creek mall to walk around recently!”

When asked if she would recommend the CAPABLE program to other seniors, Hattie exclaimed “Hallelujah, YES”!  “I thank everyone who has helped me and supported me so that I can continue to live in my home… because I believe if I had to move out of my home, my life would be shorter.”

“Because of CAPABLE, I feel more comfortable in my home.  I can hold onto the railing and not fall… I feel safe!”