July 12, 2019

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, in partnership with Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions and Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Occupational Therapy, recently launched CAPABLE (Communities Aging in Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders). The program deploys coordinated, multidisciplinary teams to do low-cost house repairs and provide occupational therapy and nursing services to older people so they can safely stay in their homes.

CAPABLE is designed for people 65 and older who are physically and financially unable to complete one or more daily domestic activities, such as cooking, bathing or going in or out of the house.

Currently, the program is seeking to enroll 60 low-income older adults with chronic illness, particularly people living in owner-occupied households in the following neighborhoods: Mantua, Mill Creek, Brewerytown, Belmont and Sharswood.

That said, low-income older adults who own homes or live with a homeowner anywhere in the city are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Participation in CAPABLE includes:

• Six occupational therapy visits.
• Four registered nurse visits. I
• Installation of accessibility equipment or home modifications provided by Habitat for Humanity.

For more information about the CAPABLE program, click here.

With funding from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to Habitat for Humanity, CAPABLE is new to Philadelphia, but similar efforts have produced important health, wellness and financial benefits elsewhere. The inspiration comes from a study of home-based interventions for older adults completed by Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions Dean Laura N. Gitlin, PhD, FGSA, FAAN.

To sign up or make a referral, please contact Emma Bullock, Habitat’s intake coordinator, 215.765.6000 x18 (if leaving a message, please indicate the call is about CAPABLE) or write emmab@habitatphiladelphia.org for more information.