April 2025 Success Story - PASSPORT and Assisted Living Waiver

Success Story: PASSPORT

Submitted by: Amy Craig, LSW - PASSPORT/Assisted Living Care Manager

Jo is 75 years old and lives in a very small town. Jo has very limited support and what assistance she receives from friends and neighbors is inconsistent and unreliable. She is determined to remain in her home and remain as independent as possible.

Jo receives 10 hours of in-home care assistance per week to assist with bathing, housekeeping tasks and complete errands as needed. She is no longer able to drive and can only leave her home on a motorized scooter and receives Medical and Non-Medical Transportation as needed. She also receives 14 home delivered meals per week, has an emergency response button and has her incontinent supplies delivered to her home.

Jo receives Social Work Counseling weekly to assist in processing her emotions from being a victim of domestic violence, grieving the loss of her only child and her estrangement from her parents and siblings at the age of 4. Jo relies heavily on Care Management services to assist with completing government assistance renewal applications such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, HEAP assistance, Winter Weatherization Program and various community resources as unmet needs arise. Passport has paid for repairs to her lift chair and carpet cleaning due to incontinent issues of her emotional support dogs.

Jo is very appreciative of all the services and support she receives from PASSPORT which allows her to remain independent in the setting of her choice.

Success Story: Assisted Living Waiver Program

Submitted by: Kim Hiett, LSW - PASSPORT/Assisted Living Care Manager

Judy is on the Assisted Living Waiver, and case managed by the Area Agency on Aging 3. She is currently living at an Assisted Living Facility.

Prior to moving into the Assisted Living Facility, Judy lived in a Senior Living Apartment. According to Judy, she was very alone there, no one checked on her besides her family, and there weren’t any activities to participate in. Judy just sat in her apartment isolated, alone watching TV and eating junk food or take out.

Judy suffered a medical situation which landed her in the hospital. Reluctantly, Judy decided to move to Assisted Living. To Judy and her family’s surprise she greatly enjoys living in Assisted Living. Judy likes that Assisted Living is independent and staff care about her, which is important to her.

Judy is proud to report that she has not missed any of the activities at the Assisted Living Facility, she enjoys interacting with her peers. Judy reported she has lost almost 30 pounds due to eating better and walking more. Judy has a group of peers she sits with at meals and interacts. Judy is keeping track of the number of steps she gets in a day. Her clothes size has decreased in size. Judy says she “loves it” at the Assisted Living and wished she had moved sooner.