Help when shen eeded it the most

Sue, a resident of North Idaho, has been living in Coeur d'Alene for 67 years. She knows these streets like the back of her hand, "Even the light on Fifth that can't decide if it wants to stay or not," she says jokingly. Sue has been taking care of herself ever since her husband, Al, passed away nearly 10 years ago. "I did just fine, gettin' around," she says. Until she began to notice that her eye sight wasn't the same as it used to be.

Sue noticed that it was getting harder to read or recognize people because of a "blurry spot" in the middle of her eye. She wasn't sure what to make of it. So, she mentioned the change in her vision during a routine doctor visit. He recommended that she see a specialist. After lengthy testing with an ophthalmologist, it was determined that Sue had macular degeneration. "Macula-what?" Sue wasn't sure what to make of the diagnosis and didn't know what to expect. She soon found out that it could lead to legal blindness.

"How am I supposed to get around if I can't see?" Unfortunately, Sue's family lives out of state and she never could see herself living anywhere else; so moving was not an option. It was recommended that she contact the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired for local support. "They were a blessing..." Sue recalls, "... if not for them, I wouldn't have the help that I need these days." They showed her techniques that would allow her to care for herself at home. "But what about driving?" Sue asked.

A member of the commission told her about a local service called Home Helpers. "What's that?" she said. In reply, he told her, "Home Helpers is just what it sounds like, help at home. They cook, they clean, they drive you around town... heck, they'll even do your grocery shopping if you want." To her, it sounded more like a personal assistant. She had never heard of Home Helpers, so she decided to call and ask a few questions.

It turns out that they're a local, family owned business that opened a few years ago in Coeur d'Alene. When they found themselves trying to care for their own family members, they recognized a need in the senior community. Anytime she calls, she speaks to a member of the family; on staff at all times. "Home Helpers really filled in the gaps with the things that I couldn't do on my own. They've made my life a lot easier." Sue explains. "Ever since, I've had clean laundry, fresh groceries and transportation whenever I need." With their experience, knowledgeable staff and local resources Home Helpers truly does make life easier. Sue concluded by saying, "Now let's go see what that light on Fifth is doing."

Information: Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired at (208) 769-1411 or http://icbvi.idaho.gov; Home Helpers of North Idaho at (208) 769-9560, www.IdahoInHomeCare.com or www.CoeurdAleneHomeCare.com