A New Lease on Life

Bringing groceries in from her 
garage has become easier for 
Barb Oder, 78,thanks to the 
CAPABLE program’s 
installation of a low-rise 
step with a handrail.

After living her entire life in Farmington, MO, population 18,000, Barb Oder moved to Kansas City to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter. It not only brought Barb to her family, but it also connected her with the CAPABLE program, which improved her mental health, safety and wellness.

CAPABLE stands for Community Aging in Place: Advancing Better Living. Through this program, a home repair technician, occupational therapist and registered nurse worked with Barb to assess and address her needs. The CAPABLE program:

• Builds self-confidence
• Decreases the risk of falls in the home and symptoms of depression
• Improves medication management, problem-solving skills and self-care
• Preserves independent living
• Reduces hospitalizations and nursing home stays

Created by the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health’s CAPABLE team includes Kay Findlay, OTR, CAPS, Eddie Sharp, RN, and a handyperson, who meet several times with clients in their homes.

“We want our clients to lead the way on their needs versus giving them direction,” Kay said. “Our goal is to solve their medical and home improvement needs together.”

For Barb that meant installing a low-rise step with a handrail, giving Barb two low steps instead of navigating a high step without a handrail while bringing groceries in from her garage. The handyperson also added two grab bars in her shower, so Barb could safely move up and down from her shower chair and in and out of her shower. Eddie worked with Barb on her medications, making sure she knew the dosing and how to reach her doctors when needed. CAPABLE clients like Barb receive these services free of charge.

“I’d fallen several times in the past, and I was concerned a fall could give me a brain bleed,” Barb said. “My daughter told me about the program, and I cannot say enough good things about Kay, Eddie and the handyman,” Barb said.

What Barb didn’t expect was to gain a new lease on life. “I used to be very active. I played golf and did a lot of walking. I became very private due to some medical issues and the loss of several family members. The CAPABLE team all became my friends, and they helped me turn around my attitude,” said Barb, whose weeks are now filled with Bible study, cribbage lessons, family time and volunteering.

CAPABLE is a free, five-month program supported by Clay County Senior Services, the Menorah Heritage Foundation and the Platte County Senior Fund. The nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together Kansas City provides home technician services.