Program Offers TLC To Older Adults And Their Homes So They Can Stay Put
Sometimes it gets hard for older people to do the things that make independent living possible, such as cook a meal or get in and out of the bath. So CAPABLE targets these obstacles, not just with therapy for the individual, but with some TLC for the home.
Today there are 29 CAPABLE programs in 15 states. Some are offered by private insurance Medicare Advantage plans, like the one that Givens has. Others are run by Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity or local aging organizations. In most programs, an occupational therapist and a nurse make home visits over four months. Depending on the patient’s goals, they figure out what home improvements are needed. Szanton says that while the programs differ slightly from place to place, studies show that CAPABLE makes a difference.
