Oakley Home Access: A Season of Gratitude

As the end of 2020 approaches, we reflect on the past year. While it was filled with unexpected challenges for the Oakley Home Access team and our clients, it was also filled with opportunities, new ways of doing business, and new ways of connecting with our families and friends. Throughout these unprecedented times, we counted on one another in so many ways and our clients trusted us with meeting their aging in place and home modification goals. We sincerely thank our community partners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for being committed to our mutual goal of keeping seniors safe in their homes during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Looking Back at 2020

 

In June, our Resource For Successful Aging: Rhode Island Facebook Group debuted and quickly gained a strong foundation of members. It was created to be a resource for caregivers, spouses, sandwich generation adults, siblings, friends and loved ones and to provide a safe space to share, engage, learn, support, and celebrate victories. This supportive group shares information and positive experiences that can help members navigate Aging In Place. We welcome anyone who is not yet a member, to join us.

One of the greatest challenges this year for all health care professionals was keeping our aging and at-risk populations safe. At the advice of the Department of Health and Governor, many families were trying to get their loved ones discharged from congregate care settings, which were hotspots for COVID-19. Oakley Home Access was proud to assist these families in securing necessary home modifications in a timely, affordable, and precautionary manner. Whether providing rental wheelchair ramps that allow short-term accessibility to home, stairlift purchases and rentals, or a vertical platform lift, more people were able to stay safe in their homes. We worked closely with our community partners to aid as many families as possible. Our community partners include skilled nursing facility staff, home health staff, NHP staff, United Health staff, Governor’s Commission on Disability, each local hospital staff, and case managers of all kinds. We can’t thank you enough for your continued trust in us here at Oakley Home Access

Our team makes every effort to identify and acquire funding options for our clients. In 2020, we became the state’s leading provider for those who have Rhode Island Medicaid Health Insurance. While we absolutely value the necessity and value of long term care facilities, providing alternative solutions to congregate care has become a primary goal of the State of RI and the Rhode Island Department of Health. As state Medicaid providers, we often are able to acquire funding to cover the cost of our equipment for individuals State Medicaid members, through their state insurance. Please contact us to learn more about our partnerships with the state of Rhode Island with the goal of providing safe alternatives to congregate settings. 

Oakley Home Access has proudly added a number of products to assist our clients in maximizing mobility and aging in place. We dedicate ourselves to stay on the forefront of adaptive equipment and technology and ensure we are offering the best solutions to our clients. Due to the increased need that we saw in the community, we have added overhead ceiling lifts, power lift recliners , and hospital beds to our expansive product list. As with all of our products, we carefully vetted manufacturers to ensure we’re providing our clients with top quality equipment. 

We continue to invite all members of the community to visit our showroom and only ask that they wear facial covering and respect social distancing requirements. Take solace and have peace of mind that we are taking all required precautions in the showroom.

 

Looking Forward to 2021

 

We recently received the exciting news that the RI Livable Home Modification Grant Program (RILHMG) has been included in the 2021 Fiscal year budget. For those who have applied but were awaiting approval, we encourage you to call and check on the status of your application. As always, Oakley Home Access is here to assist as much as needed during the application process. 

We are certainly looking forward to 2021 and continuing serving our communities and being part of the healthcare puzzle. Something we are very excited about is the addition of Affordable, luxurious Residential Elevators by Stiltz. We’re excited to integrate these lifts into new construction and as a home modification to create accessible living spaces. 

Finally, we are excited to continue our expansion into Massachusetts, as well as Connecticut in 2021. While we serve all of Massachusetts, we will be crossing the border into Eastern Connecticut as well to offer our services to residents in need. We look forward to connecting with healthcare professionals in the area and being a trusted resource for their clients. 

On behalf of the entire Oakley Home Access team, thank you for being part of our year. We wish you and your families a happy and healthy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!