Resident Stories

Learning Independence with Vision Loss

With the right tools and support, a young resident learns to navigate life on his own while living with vision loss.

At just 19 years old, one of our residents was living on his own for the first time — and doing so while legally blind. Adjusting to independence wasn’t easy, but with the right support from the onsite service coordinator at his building, he began to thrive.

Through a referral from the service coordinator, he connected with the Council of the Blind, an organization he had never worked with before. They provided him with free tools to make daily life easier: a new tip for his walking cane, raised-number measuring cups, talking thermometers, and even special lights for his apartment. He also joined classes where he could practice everyday skills — like cooking. When he was given an air fryer as part of the cooking classes, an instructor visited him and showed him how to use it safely, even adding bump dots to help him set the right time and temperature.

But the biggest highlight came when he was selected to attend Adventures in Vision Loss, a free five-day summer camp in Wisconsin that helps adults learn new skills and strategies for living with vision loss. There, he’ll gain confidence in technology, cooking, daily living, and more. For a young man navigating independence for the first time, this opportunity is life-changing — setting him up with skills and connections that will last a lifetime.

Building a Bridge to Everyday Needs

Sometimes the smallest things — like a can opener or a shower curtain — can make the biggest difference.

When a young woman moved into one of our communities, she was starting from almost nothing. She had no toiletries, no food, and no family support. Without help, she wasn’t sure how she would get through each day.

The onsite service coordinator stepped in right away with food from the local food bank and an essentials kit. But as they checked in, new challenges surfaced: the resident couldn’t open her canned food because she didn’t own a can opener. She hadn’t been able to shower, even though she had shampoo — because there was no shower curtain.

The service coordinator worked through resources and connections to find additional donations from other residents and community partners, providing her with the small but critical items she needed. With continued follow-up and encouragement from the service coordinator, she began to understand that asking for help was not only okay, but necessary to thrive.

Her story is a powerful reminder of how important it is to have access to someone to help bridge the gap. While she waited for longer-term support services, these immediate connections made it possible for her to meet her basic needs and begin building stability.

Finding Connection Through Helping Hands

A simple invitation to help in the kitchen opened the door to new friendships and a stronger sense of community.

At 70 years old, one resident preferred the quiet of her apartment, rarely stepping out except for appointments. Despite invitations to join community events and presentations, she always declined.

One day, her service coordinator mentioned that a group of residents would be preparing a meal together and that they could really use an extra set of hands. To everyone’s surprise, she showed up the next day, dressed to impress and ready to help.

In the kitchen, something clicked. She not only pitched in with the cooking but also struck up conversations with neighbors she had never spent time with before. Those casual connections turned into friendships that she still maintains today.

While she may not attend every event or presentation, she continues to join when there’s a need for help — and each time, she brings with her the warmth of someone who has found her own special way to be part of the community. For her, lending a hand became the bridge to lasting companionship.

From Crisis to Community Leader

After a life-threatening setback, a young resident found stability, purpose, and connection within his community.

A young resident living with schizophrenia went through a frightening period after stopping his medication. His paranoia grew worse until one day, in the middle of the afternoon, he jumped from his second-story window. Miraculously, he survived and was hospitalized.

The very next day, his service coordinator reached out to check on him. With steady support, he was connected back to his medication and given a daily management plan, ensuring someone would check in with him regularly to help him stay on track.

Over the next year, while continuing with his medication management plan and engaging consistently with his onsite service coordinator, his life transformed. With stability restored, he began looking ahead — expressing interest in finding a part-time job and even joining with neighbors to plan activities and events at his building.

What began as a crisis became a story of growth. Today, he is not only more independent, but also engaged in his community, proving that with the right support, healing and thriving are possible.

Turning An Empty Apartment into a Home: A Veteran’s Story

A veteran arriving with nothing found comfort, dignity, and stability through community support.

When a veteran moved into one of our communities, he arrived with little more than the clothes on his back. Experiencing homelessness and coming straight from a shelter, he spent his first night in his new apartment sleeping on the floor.

The very next day, help arrived. With the support of the service coordinator and the local Aging and Disability Resource Center, he was connected to a program called The Exchange, which provides household essentials for people in need. With his truck, he was able to pick up everything on his “wish list” — furniture, kitchen supplies, and basic items to turn his empty apartment into a home.

At the same time, the local veterans’ office was working on longer-term support, including covering his rent. Still, these immediate resources gave him comfort and dignity while he waited. For him, having a safe place to sleep — and the assurance that he wouldn’t lose his housing — meant everything.

A Community Gift of Cheese

A generous donation from Wisconsin Dairies filled freezers, stretched grocery budgets, and brought smiles to an entire community.

Sometimes, the simplest gifts bring the biggest smiles. In Jackson County, the onsite service coordinator was able to organize a donation for our residents that was as Wisconsin as it gets: 500 pounds of cheese.

Thanks to a generous contribution from the Dairy Pricing Association and Nasonville Dairy, residents each received blocks of cheese valued at over $2,600 in total. Many tucked it into their freezers, stretching the gift over months to come.

The timing couldn’t have been better. During a recent nutrition class held by UW Extension and organized by the service coordinator, residents discussed eating healthy on a budget. One participant proudly shared that instead of buying pre-shredded cheese, she planned to hand-shred the donated blocks to save money. A donation meant to nourish had become a practical way for residents to cut costs and stretch their grocery budgets — exactly the outcome we hoped for.

Staying Independent at Home

With support, a resident and her family found the right balance of safety and independence at home.

When a resident’s daughter encouraged her to move into assisted living, she wasn’t sure what the right choice was. At first, she even reserved a spot at a facility and wrote a large check to hold it. But deep down, she felt she wasn’t ready to leave her apartment.

Instead of rushing the decision, she sat down with the onsite service coordinator to explore her options. Together, they contacted the local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), where staff walked through the pros and cons of assisted living versus staying independent. After thoughtful conversations with her daughters and the resident’s support team, everyone agreed: with the right resources in place, she could safely remain in her apartment.

Those supports were organized through the service coordinator, and they made all the difference. Her home was modified with a tub cut kit, a new showerhead, and a toilet riser to make daily routines easier. Meals on Wheels increased their deliveries, providing her with fresh meals during the week and frozen ones for weekends. She also gained the reassurance of a lifeline system in case of emergencies.

With these adjustments, she was able to remain where she felt most comfortable — in her own home — while still having the support she needed. It was a win-win for both her and her family, proving that independence and safety can go hand in hand.

Power Restored, Hope Renewed

When an elderly resident’s power was shut off, persistence and advocacy brought both electricity and peace of mind.

In Waukesha, an elderly resident faced a frightening crisis: her electricity had been shut off. Without power, she not only sat in the dark, but also worried for her health, since she relied on oxygen to breathe.

At first, she resisted applying for energy assistance, convinced she could manage on her own. But as the situation grew urgent, she turned to her service coordinator for help. Together, they called WE Energies, explained her medical needs, and worked to ensure the right forms reached her doctor’s office. It was a stressful process — with failed fax attempts, internet outages, and uncertainty hanging in the air. That night, she wasn’t sure where she could even stay.

The next morning brought relief. WE Energies approved an emergency reconnection, restoring her power for 21 days while she applied for long-term assistance. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she hugged her service coordinator and cried, thankful to have someone in her corner.

With guidance and persistence, she went on to qualify for ongoing energy assistance, ensuring her home would remain safe and livable. What started as a crisis became a turning point — proof that no one has to face challenges like this alone when they have access to a service coordinator.