A Home in Jeopardy
Karen is a vibrant, active member of her senior living community. She’s the kind of neighbor who drives her fellow residents to appointments, crafts with her friends, and receives communion every week. But behind the warmth and routine, Karen was quietly struggling.
Living with mental health challenges, Karen developed a habit of buying new things to cope with her feelings – a fleeting sense of comfort that, over time, filled her apartment wall to wall. When a bug infestation required the facility to treat her unit, the clutter became a bigger problem. Boxes blocked the pathways to her kitchen and bathroom and even covered her bed. For several nights while her unit was being treated, Karen slept in a recliner.
Facing multiple eviction notices and an overwhelming cleanup, Karen was at a breaking point.
Seeing the Whole Picture
During their regular appointments, Karen’s WellBe provider Delaney noticed subtle but significant changes. Karen was staying in bed longer, stopped getting dressed, and was no longer meeting Delaney in the lobby like she used to.
To Delaney, these weren’t minor shifts; they were signs that Karen’s day-to-day wellbeing was slipping – and she knew she needed to step up. Delaney, along with a WellBe social worker Emily, first advocated on Karen’s behalf: they wrote a letter to facility management that outlined the mental health factors contributing to her situation. This secured one final extension, but they knew Karen needed a longer-term solution and another layer of support.
Showing Up on a Friday Afternoon
In an act of quiet dedication, Delaney and Emily spent their Friday afternoon in Karen’s apartment – not for a medical visit, but to help her clean.
To ease Karen’s anxiety, they put on Christmas music and worked alongside her, making the process feel less like a crisis and more like an afternoon with friends. By the end of the day, they had cleared most of the apartment – restoring access to Karen’s bed, her bathroom, and her front door.
The facility director, moved by the team’s efforts, allowed Karen to stay in her home.
A New Foundation
Karen’s continued residency was built on a sustainable plan: regular visits with her new psychiatric nurse practitioner and to remain consistent with her medications.
“Delaney has no idea how appreciative I am of the hard work she and the team put in,” Karen said. “Passing the inspection with the facility felt like a major weight was lifted from my shoulders.”
For Delaney, the feeling was mutual.
“I’m so proud of her,” Delaney said. “She kept pushing this cleanup off and began giving up on herself. But I told her that is not an option.”
More Than a Care Plan
Today, Karen’s apartment is a place of safety and relaxation – not a source of stress. She is still very much the heart of her community, showing up for the people and things she loves most.
Her story is a powerful reminder that healing rarely happens alone. By combining clinical advocacy with hands-on, human support, the WellBe team helped Karen keep not just her apartment, but her dignity and stability.
Experience Healthcare Beyond a Medical Checkup
We all deserve the kind of care that Karen received.
WellBe provides in-home medical care to eligible members at no added cost – fully included in your health plan coverage. Click the button below to request a visit, and someone from our team will reach out!
