We are partnering with other local nonprofits to raise awareness about how to prevent falls in the home as part of Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 22nd. We are collaborating with the Highland Park/West Seventh Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, West 7th Business Association, Metropolitan Area on Aging, Jewish Family Service of St. Paul, Access Solutions, and West 7th Community Center to host a Home Maintenance Fair on Saturday, September 22nd from 10 am until 2 pm at the West 7th Community Center (265 Oneida Street in St. Paul).
This event will provide resources to help older adults live more independently and safely in their homes, including an opportunity to meet with contractors on site and workshops on low-cost/no cost repairs and financial help for homeowners who are older than 55. The event is free, and prize drawings will be offered, including a special drawing for the first 100 pre-registrants who call with their name and contact information.  To pre-register, please call: 651-690-8938 or email: NorcInfo@JFSSP.org.
As part of our efforts to raise awareness about falls prevention, we also made home safety and accessibility modifications for a St. Paul homeowner in need named Karen on September 13th. Karen is a former nurse who had a stroke 12 years ago. With the help of her friends and community members, Karen has been able to revitalize and repair a home that she purchased over the last year.
In order to ensure that Karen can live independently and safely in her home for years to come, we partnered with volunteers from Farmer’s Insurance to install grab bars, a shower seat and a handheld shower unit in her bathroom, as well as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, motion sensor lights and a doorbell. She also received fire evacuation advice with the help of volunteers from the St. Paul Fire Department. Thanks to the St. Paul Fire Department and community volunteers who came out to help Karen!