Posted on May 25, 2012 by staci
They say, “home is where the heart is.” So what happens when the challenges of aging make home less of a comfort and more of an obstacle. 
In the next 20 years, it is predicted that one in five Americans will be 65 or older. Soon many will be faced with complications due to aging but will not want to move into a nursing home or assisted living facility. They prefer to “age in place.”
So what does that mean? Many associate it with continuing to live in the home of your choice safely and independently as you get older. But it’s more than that. “Aging in place” refers to living where you have lived for years by using products, services, and conveniences which allow you to remain home as circumstances change. This means you may have to make modifications to your home.
Some common modifications are:
· Widening doorways
· Installing hand-held shower heads and grab bars to assist with balance issues
· Using lever handles on doors and plumbing fixtures to eliminate the struggle with operating doorknobs and faucets
· Using “comfort height” toilets to ease the burden of sitting and standing
· Adapting main floor of the home for one level living: No-step entry, bathroom and bedroom / Kitchen and laundry on main floor
People Working Cooperatively is ahead of the trend. For 25 years, PWC has been providing these services to low-income, elderly homeowners in order to keep them at home as they age. PWC recently launched Whole Home to provide home modification services for all people above PWC’s current income guidelines.
To request a consultation or assessment of Whole Home’s services, please call (513) 482-5100 and ask for Whole Home. Visit wholehome.org for additional information.
Posted on May 18, 2012 by pwcstaff
More than 800 volunteers came out on a warm, sunny Saturday morning to help 130 homeowners in Greater Cincinnati with critical home repairs and modifications for the 30th annual Repair Affair organized by People Working Cooperatively.
The jobs were complicated and the volunteers persistent in getting the task done right. Crews installed ramps, poured concrete, installed grab bars and railings, trimmed overgrown hedges and even replaced a porch!
We would like to extend a big thank you to the volunteers, sponsors and staff who made our 30th annual Repair Affair such a success. We couldn’t do it without you!
This year’s sponsors included title sponsor Home Depot, presenting sponsor the City of Cincinnati, major sponsors Cincinnati Children’s and Prus Construction Co., and many other supporting sponsors.
If you didn’t have a chance to volunteer last weekend, we will have an overflow day this Saturday, May 19. For more information on volunteering with PWC in the future, please call Sara Bourgeois, PWC volunteer manager, at (513) 351-7921.
To learn more about Repair Affair and the clients served, read The Enquirer’s article “Repair Affair is labor of love” that features PWC client Alieen Butler and the Cincinnati Children’s crew who installed her new ramp.
Posted on May 04, 2012 by pwcstaff
Talk to any weatherization expert and they’ll tell you the same thing: weatherizing your home is important for all seasons of the year.
While many associate the term weatherization with preparing for cold weather, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), funded by The U.S. Department of Energy, has a different definition. WAP notes that weatherization includes a “wide variety of energy efficiency measures that encompass the building envelope, its heating and cooling systems, its electrical system, and electricity consuming appliances.”
The weatherization and energy conservation folks here at People Working Cooperatively couldn’t agree more. Weatherizing your home means analyzing the building and finding solutions that create a more energy efficient home. It also means searching for any safety hazards posed by your heating/cooling system and correcting those issues.
Call PWC today to see how we can help make your home energy efficient, safe and comfortable. Our weatherization services will make a big difference.
To apply for PWC’s weatherization services, Ohio residents should call (513) 351-7921 and Kentucky residents should call (859) 331-1991. Or you can learn more by visiting www.pwchomerepairs.org/.