Getting a disabled adult help in Minnesota
February 5, 2024 3:06 AM Subscribe
A close friend is 60 years old and working in an office environment. She uses Metro Mobility due to MS and other conditions. She owns her home and has problems caring for it, especially in winter. Another friend said she could get in home help from the state and that they would help pay for a lot of medical bills as well. How does she get that?
Part of the problem is that she gets easily lost or forgets things when it comes to government programs and forms and things like that. She does not have problems with her job, but something is preventing her from getting the documents and things she needs for this program. Is there a disability navigator for Hennepin County or Minnesota that can help her with this? She has not tried going through SSD
She isn't low income, but she is struggling financially due to sudden home renovation needs that have come up due to her disability. She has to pay quite a bit to get her sidewalks shoveled, for example. She is afraid to take out trash and recycling if the sidewalks are icy, things like that. The ramp on one entrance needs to be fixed and the other is just stairs. She sees moving as extremely overwhelming and costly. I think she'd be fine in this house if she had weekly help with chores, but she cannot afford it most of the time.
I don't live close enough to help regularly and have my own physical limitations. Please keep answers limited to how she can help herself rather than how others can help her.
Part of the problem is that she gets easily lost or forgets things when it comes to government programs and forms and things like that. She does not have problems with her job, but something is preventing her from getting the documents and things she needs for this program. Is there a disability navigator for Hennepin County or Minnesota that can help her with this? She has not tried going through SSD
She isn't low income, but she is struggling financially due to sudden home renovation needs that have come up due to her disability. She has to pay quite a bit to get her sidewalks shoveled, for example. She is afraid to take out trash and recycling if the sidewalks are icy, things like that. The ramp on one entrance needs to be fixed and the other is just stairs. She sees moving as extremely overwhelming and costly. I think she'd be fine in this house if she had weekly help with chores, but she cannot afford it most of the time.
I don't live close enough to help regularly and have my own physical limitations. Please keep answers limited to how she can help herself rather than how others can help her.
There are a variety of services and organizations that can help, but unfortunately there is not AFAIK a single point of contact for assistance.
One low-hanging fruit: Can she check with her garbage hauler? Some/many of them will retrieve carts from the house for those who have trouble bringing them to the curb.
For some one-time projects, like her ramp, she can try to connect with Eagle Scout troops or other community groups. They will often do service projects like this.
Some states include disabilities with their Area Agencies on Aging, but I don't see anything on Minnesota's website to indicate that's the truth. BUT, it might be worth a call to talk to someone at her local AAA to see if they can help point to some resources.
Also, 211 is a great resource, and might be worth a call.
posted by hydra77 at 6:46 AM on February 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
One low-hanging fruit: Can she check with her garbage hauler? Some/many of them will retrieve carts from the house for those who have trouble bringing them to the curb.
For some one-time projects, like her ramp, she can try to connect with Eagle Scout troops or other community groups. They will often do service projects like this.
Some states include disabilities with their Area Agencies on Aging, but I don't see anything on Minnesota's website to indicate that's the truth. BUT, it might be worth a call to talk to someone at her local AAA to see if they can help point to some resources.
Also, 211 is a great resource, and might be worth a call.
posted by hydra77 at 6:46 AM on February 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
She may find an "MS navigator" via the MS Society helpful in finding answers.
posted by fruitslinger at 7:23 AM on February 5, 2024
posted by fruitslinger at 7:23 AM on February 5, 2024
Our state (MD) Dept of Disabilities has a low-interest loan program that funds some disability modifications. With where your friend is functionally, a local (county) aging services may have resources or rough planning resources for independence and aging in place. With home ownership, your friend has assets, so an elder law attorney might be able to shed light on the situation. Often local professionals have radio shows or similar outreach, sometimes with a call-in format, so prospective clients can obtain information without a big investment.
posted by childofTethys at 7:51 AM on February 5, 2024
posted by childofTethys at 7:51 AM on February 5, 2024
There is a national network of Centers for Independent Living that provide services to people with disability to support them living independently in their own homes. They can be great resource for finding out what services might be available and how to access them. Here is the state page of Minnesota where you can find the links to the appropriate regional center.
Since your friend struggles with doing these kind of things, I would suggest that you go ahead and research the right people for her to contact and maybe even make the first phone call yourself to find out what for her exactly what she needs to do to take the first steps.
You could also to support her by either joining her on the phone call and/or by "body doubling" over video - keeping her company while she does the necessary paperwork.
posted by metahawk at 10:55 AM on February 5, 2024 [2 favorites]
Since your friend struggles with doing these kind of things, I would suggest that you go ahead and research the right people for her to contact and maybe even make the first phone call yourself to find out what for her exactly what she needs to do to take the first steps.
You could also to support her by either joining her on the phone call and/or by "body doubling" over video - keeping her company while she does the necessary paperwork.
posted by metahawk at 10:55 AM on February 5, 2024 [2 favorites]
« Older What is the liquid that they often use in Japanese... | Where is this movie/photoshoot set? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
VRS is the program that helps with living independently. They likely have an age limit as an FYI but something to look into as well.
They have some funding for home modifications as well.
posted by AlexiaSky at 5:41 AM on February 5, 2024