Crotched Mountain > Community > Community Care > PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES                     Telly, 83, said she has been able to stay in her apartment the past six years due to the help she received from family, neighbors, and services provided through the Home and Community Based Care for the Elderly and Chronically Ill Program (HCBC-ECI). "I can't do anything. I have no strength," she said. She credits her care manager from Crotched Mountain Community Care for support and coordination of services that helped her maintain control of her life and avoid nursing home placement. Audrey has multiple sclerosis and recently returned to New Hampshire to be closer to her family. When she arrived she was completely bed-bound and extremely depressed. Soon after being enrolled in the Crotched Mountain Community Care program Audrey was provided with an electric wheelchair, and, through physical therapy and occupational therapy, gained necessary skills so she could live at home. She has a home health aide who assists with her personal care, another aide to help with housekeeping and laundry, and a nurse to monitor her physical condition. Audrey says that, due to the help she received through this program, she has regained her self-esteem and independence.

Gloria is able to get out more safely now that she has a ramp. Before their ramp was built, her husband, who is in his 80's, had to lift his wife's wheelchair down the front steps of their home, risking injury to both of them each time they went out for a doctor's appointment or to the grocery store. With a special grant from the Roger and Theresa Thompson Endowment, Crotched Mountain Community Care initiated a program to make needed renovations and repairs to clients' homes. Ray Mailloux of Community House Calls built the ramp and made other necessary repairs to make Gloria's home accessible. Paul states "my care manager and Crotched Mountain Community Care have been absolutely wonderful! I couldn't ask for better service. Without my care managers help, I wouldn't be able to live independently in my home". Linda says "my care manager is professional, excellent and she understands my needs. My health and outlook in the past three years has improved beyond my expectations."

The loss of independence and not being able to continue to live in one's own home are some of the greatest fears we experience as we age. That's where Crotched Mountain Community Care (CMCC) can help. Our care managers meet with you and your family to assess your needs, develop a care plan to meet those needs, make referrals to home care agencies and provide ongoing support and advocacy enabling you to remain living in your own home. We provide care management services to over 700 New Hampshire adult residents who have chronic illnesses or disabilities in the Portsmouth, Rochester, Manchester, Keene, Claremont, Whitefield areas of the state.