Changing Lives

​​​​​Michael's story began in 2014 when he had a series of five strokes in one night. The strokes left him paralyzed on his left side. Due to his paralysis, he was admitted to a nursing home where he resided for 11 years.

Nursing home life wasn't bad for Michael, but he did have one complaint, the food. Michael's occupation prior to his strokes was cooking in restaurants. He took great pride in the meals he prepared for his customers. The food he received in the nursing home was not up to his standards.

After seeing potential in Michael and thinking he would be a great candidate to live independently in the community, the nursing home director recommended he apply for the Take Me Home Transition Program. Following through with her suggestion is a decision he will never regret. He says being out of the nursing home has brought him freedom. Take Me Home helped him find an apartment in the same complex as his mother. TMH furnished the apartment and made sure he had cooking supplies and a stocked pantry. Now Michael can cook the meals he loves.

Since living in his own apartment, he feels he can do so much more for himself. With the help of a 3D printer, Michael designs tools to help make his life easier. One of those gadgets is a device that helps him hold and administer medication with only one functioning hand.

Michael's advice to those in a nursing home who are thinking of transitioning back into community living is “if you are able, do it!"
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Josh's Story

​Josh's story began four years ago when he was diagnosed with a spinal cord compression without injury. He had a total of four surgeries but with each surgery his condition worsened until he lost almost all mobility and was ​considered quadriplegic. He currently has use of both arms, but only one hand, and no use of his legs.

Josh spent 10 months in a nursing home before Take Me Home helped him to find an apartment to transition to.  He didn't enjoy his time at the nursing home. There was no abuse or ill treatment, he just felt out of place being only 41 years old.  Because of his quadriplegia he was unable to participate in any of the activities offered at the nursing home, so he stayed in his room all day and never had any visitors.

The Take Me Home Program was introduced to Josh during his stay in the hospital and his case manager sent in an application for him 6 months into his nursing home stay. He wanted to return to the community and live a more normal life. He felt trapped and hopeless in the nursing home.

Josh describes his life now as much happier and filled with more opportunities. Before going into the nursing home Josh was living in an RV with no utilities.  The Take Me Home Program helped him find an apartment, provided furnishings,  and stocked his pantry.  Josh feels he now has a life, is more independent, and has the opportunity to go out and make friends with people his age.

“If someone my age is in a nursing home, I want to tell them to not lose hope. Pick yourself up and get back on the horse. Take every blessing and make the most of it. Take Me Home was a huge blessing and I thank you for everything you've done. My Transition Coordinator was wonderful and helped me every step of the way. I hope Take Me Home continues to help younger residents. People my age don't belong in nursing homes, we need to be out enjoying everything we can in life."

​​Jean's Story

​In the middle of the global Covid-19 pandemic, Jean had the misfortune of taking a fall and breaking her ankle. Her doctors at the time advised her that it would be best for her if she stayed in a nursing home to receive the necessary physical therapy and constant care, she would need to make sure her ankle healed properly.