PWC repairs keep seniors safe at home

A highly cited AARP study shows that 90 percent of Ohioans want to continue living in their current homes as they age. Helping make that possible for homeowners in the Cincinnati area is the nonprofit organization People Working Cooperatively (PWC).

"PWC's mission is to perform critical home repairs and services so that low-income homeowners can remain in their homes living independently and healthier in a safe, sound environment,” explains PWC President Jock Pitts. "We galvanize 6,000 volunteers annually to help support our mission of keeping people independent and healthier in a safe, sound environment in their home."

The organization is unique, currently providing services in 23 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Southeastern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. PWC brings a staff of skilled professionals such as plumbers, HVAC technicians, and carpenters together to work with volunteers to provide critical home repairs that allow seniors and others to remain living in their homes, safely and securely.

"There is a tremendous need for the services PWC provides and a tremendous value received to those homeowners as well as the community as a whole," Pitts notes.

PWC enlisted the independent research firm Cadmus to conduct a study of the impact of PWC’s services on their clients. Among the findings:

• 87% of participants said the PWC services helped them remain in their homes.
• 44% of participants said their health improved as a result of PWC services.
• 15% of these said they were able to see their doctors less as a result.
• 91% of participants who received mobility improvement services reported being able to move around, and get in and out of their homes better than before.
• 10% increase in housing values

PWC also makes home modifications for low-income homeowners, and a  majority of those modifications are provided for seniors. With four Certified Aging in Place Specialists, PWC recommends and carries out modifications to help homeowners remain in their homes.

Learn more about PWC by visiting  their website at www.pwchomerepairs.org.