Help with phones, food and housing How Commonwealth Care Alliance Massachusetts's Community Health Workers help members stay healthy and live well in their homes cca commonwealth care alliance MASSACHUSETTS For many of us, a home is more than shelter-it's a safe haven where family memories are made. Commonwealth Care Alliance Massachusetts (CCA) Community Health Worker Angelmina understood that when she first met Bonnie*, a CCA member in her 70s. Struggling to replace her oil tank, Bonnie would soon be left without heat or hot water. Her safe haven would no longer be safe. Since the home had been in Bonnie's family for many years, belongings had accumulated in the basement, blocking access to the tank. Fallen trees were also limiting access to the basement door. Because of this, the fire department could not approve a new tank until the old one was removed. With no family or friends nearby to help, Bonnie was losing hope. To help, Angelmina contacted local vendors to clear the basement. She also helped Bonnie apply for financial support for a new oil tank. Housing issues such as these can have a significant impact on someone's health and wellbeing. That's why in recent years, CCA helped members receive more than 77,000 home modifications and supports, including helping members get air conditioners, homemaker services, ramp installations, and more. CCA Community Health Worker Janette has seen the impact these issues can have on the members she supports, too. "Many people who struggle with issues at home also struggle with stress, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol," she said. "When you're anxious about paying your bills, keeping warm, or staying safe, you can't focus on your health. You may start eating unhealthy foods, skip your medications, or stop seeing your doctor." Both Janette and Angelmina help members live safely at home. That might mean connecting people to food resources or to transportation and phones so they can schedule doctors' visits. It might also mean connecting them to a lawyer if they are facing eviction or helping them apply for housing. Sometimes the process of applying for these programs and services can be difficult. "Many of these programs need you to have a state ID," Janette said. "For many of us, that's not a big deal, but for some, it can be a barrier. To get an ID, you need a birth certificate, which not everyone can easily get. For other members, it's about the cost. You have to pay to request a birth certificate and not everyone can afford it." "Community Health Workers provide the kind of support that a friend or family member would offer," Angelmina added. Recently, she helped a member apply for a phone. The phone application required a social security card, which the member didn't have. To assist, Angelmina had to go into the social security office for the member. "He had to have a lot of trust in me to give me his ID and get this done for him," she said. While keeping members in their homes is an important goal for CCA, finding a new home is sometimes a better option. "I recently worked with a member who was living in a terrible environment," Janette said. "His home was infested. He thought that his living situation was the best that he could do. We collaborated as a team and with our community partners, and we helped him move to a safer home. Today, he's much happier than before." CCA's Community Health Workers are key members of the care team. They work with CCA nurses and behavioral health clinicians to help members get the support they need. Janette's number one goal is to advocate for her members. Serving as an advocate for someone requires trust and understanding, she said. "I need to listen before I can talk. While housing might be their primary need, helping them fill out that application isn't always step one." CCA's Community Health Workers live in the communities they serve and understand the conditions that impact the health and wellness of their neighbors. With this knowledge, they help members close gaps to get access to the programs they need. When asked what she loves most about her job, Angelmina said she was passionate about helping people. "I'm willing to go the extra mile to help support our members' needs," she said. Janette agreed. "CCA's mission is to help people with the most significant needs stay healthy and live well. That's a mission I strongly believe in, and I'm proud to support it every day." *To protect the privacy of our member, this name is a pseudonym. Commonwealth Care Alliance is a mission-driven healthcare services organization that supports older adults and individuals with the most significant needs. Visit: ccama.org/health. Help with phones , food and housing How Commonwealth Care Alliance Massachusetts's Community Health Workers help members stay healthy and live well in their homes cca commonwealth care alliance MASSACHUSETTS For many of us , a home is more than shelter - it's a safe haven where family memories are made . Commonwealth Care Alliance Massachusetts ( CCA ) Community Health Worker Angelmina understood that when she first met Bonnie * , a CCA member in her 70s . Struggling to replace her oil tank , Bonnie would soon be left without heat or hot water . Her safe haven would no longer be safe . Since the home had been in Bonnie's family for many years , belongings had accumulated in the basement , blocking access to the tank . Fallen trees were also limiting access to the basement door . Because of this , the fire department could not approve a new tank until the old one was removed . With no family or friends nearby to help , Bonnie was losing hope . To help , Angelmina contacted local vendors to clear the basement . She also helped Bonnie apply for financial support for a new oil tank . Housing issues such as these can have a significant impact on someone's health and wellbeing . That's why in recent years , CCA helped members receive more than 77,000 home modifications and supports , including helping members get air conditioners , homemaker services , ramp installations , and more . CCA Community Health Worker Janette has seen the impact these issues can have on the members she supports , too . " Many people who struggle with issues at home also struggle with stress , high blood pressure , and high cholesterol , " she said . " When you're anxious about paying your bills , keeping warm , or staying safe , you can't focus on your health . You may start eating unhealthy foods , skip your medications , or stop seeing your doctor . " Both Janette and Angelmina help members live safely at home . That might mean connecting people to food resources or to transportation and phones so they can schedule doctors ' visits . It might also mean connecting them to a lawyer if they are facing eviction or helping them apply for housing . Sometimes the process of applying for these programs and services can be difficult . " Many of these programs need you to have a state ID , " Janette said . " For many of us , that's not a big deal , but for some , it can be a barrier . To get an ID , you need a birth certificate , which not everyone can easily get . For other members , it's about the cost . You have to pay to request a birth certificate and not everyone can afford it . " " Community Health Workers provide the kind of support that a friend or family member would offer , " Angelmina added . Recently , she helped a member apply for a phone . The phone application required a social security card , which the member didn't have . To assist , Angelmina had to go into the social security office for the member . " He had to have a lot of trust in me to give me his ID and get this done for him , " she said . While keeping members in their homes is an important goal for CCA , finding a new home is sometimes a better option . " I recently worked with a member who was living in a terrible environment , " Janette said . " His home was infested . He thought that his living situation was the best that he could do . We collaborated as a team and with our community partners , and we helped him move to a safer home . Today , he's much happier than before . " CCA's Community Health Workers are key members of the care team . They work with CCA nurses and behavioral health clinicians to help members get the support they need . Janette's number one goal is to advocate for her members . Serving as an advocate for someone requires trust and understanding , she said . " I need to listen before I can talk . While housing might be their primary need , helping them fill out that application isn't always step one . " CCA's Community Health Workers live in the communities they serve and understand the conditions that impact the health and wellness of their neighbors . With this knowledge , they help members close gaps to get access to the programs they need . When asked what she loves most about her job , Angelmina said she was passionate about helping people . " I'm willing to go the extra mile to help support our members ' needs , " she said . Janette agreed . " CCA's mission is to help people with the most significant needs stay healthy and live well . That's a mission I strongly believe in , and I'm proud to support it every day . " * To protect the privacy of our member , this name is a pseudonym . Commonwealth Care Alliance is a mission - driven healthcare services organization that supports older adults and individuals with the most significant needs . Visit : ccama.org/health .