The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing’s (JHUSON) Center for Innovative Care in Aging is teaming up with the Baltimore City Office of Aging - Health Department to continue home-based disability reduction intervention efforts.

Their collaboration, which will benefit the CAPABLE project, “Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders,” is seeking to aid 500 low-income older adults in Baltimore City who are struggling to maintain daily household activities.

JHUSON Associate Professor and Principal Faculty, Center for Innovative Care in Aging Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, CRNP, believes “this project has the potential to change aging for older adults across America as it is part of health care reform. If the government deems it successful, it can become national policy.”

As part of the project, handymen will install grab bars, stabilize banisters, fill holes in floors, and provide other safety modifications to the homes of older adults who qualify. Occupational therapists will assess what everyday tasks the adults are capable of performing and brainstorm with participants to see what strategies they can use to perform others. Nurses will work with participants on pain, mood, medication adherence, strength, and balance.  

The Office of Aging is seeking potential candidates by handing out fliers at outreach events. Others are being screened by the Office of Aging during phone calls and their qualifications are decided during the call. 

“Older adults don’t want to move to nursing homes, and we think we have a way to help them function well at home,” Szanton said. “We are excited to see if it works.”

For more information on the project, please contact Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, CRNP, at [email protected] and Alice Delaney, CAPABLE’s Senior Research Program Supervisor, at [email protected] and 443-287-1584.

The Baltimore City Office of Aging can be contacted at 410-396-CARE.