Tommie N. has made North Minneapolis his home for 54 years. Retired after a 30+ year career with Honeywell, Tommie enjoys gardening in his front yard and creating art to decorate and beautify his home. He loves being outdoors with his dog even in the Minnesota winters he has grown to love.
Home ownership is a source of pride and dignity for Tommie. He says that “property is very important. If you don’t have any property, what do you got? A car? That wears out real quick, and when it breaks, it’s gone. But you get your home, and you take care of it, the value goes up and up and up.”
Tommie’s story was captured by Twin Cities journalist Georgia Fort on her series “Here’s the Truth”.
Making the Safety Renovations
As a result of a bad fall that caused a shoulder injury, Tommie’s health care team introduced him to Age Well At Home. After an inspection and an assessment of his needs, contractors completed a number of critical safety renovations, including:
- Replacing the deteriorating kitchen sink with a new sink, faucets, and countertop
- Installing grab bars in the bathroom
Repairing light switches and fixtures - Removing shower doors that weren’t operating properly and adding a rod, shower curtain, and new shower heads
- Installing a new handle and lock on the front door of the home
- Installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home
- Providing a lift recliner chair to ease the strain on Tommie’s muscles and joints
“I Like Being Independent”
With these improvements, Tommie can stay safely in the home and community he loves with dignity and grace. He continues to play with his dog, tend to his gardens, and produce more paintings and mosaics to brighten his surroundings.
“I like being independent. I like being able to do what I want to do without being told.”