Sally Returns Home Post Lift Installation
Discover the
Benefit of
Technology
Sally Meets with ATP’s Program Coordinator, Cathy Hayes.
Sally Dittmar, a 77 year-old from Gering
found herself in a predicament last summer. Sally’s left leg was
amputated above the knee due to diabetes, and she struggled to get in
and out of her son Richard’s bi-level home where she lived.
Despite Sally’s attempts to crawl up the steps, she moved into
a nursing home at her doctor’s suggestion. Medicaid covered the
cost of her nursing home stay; however, sickness put her in and out
of the hospital.
While Sally was hospitalized, the cost to hold her room at the nursing
home
Since Sally had worked for the state, she was knowledgeable about some resources and income requirements. Sally assumed she did not qualify for any
resources and went ahead and purchased a lift.
After purchasing the lift Sally realized she could not afford the installation. She contacted ATP for help finding funds to cover the lift installation cost.
Once ATP Technology Specialist Brent Dierksen visited the site, he discovered this would not be a simple installation given the site layout and condition of the existing deck. However, Brent was able to develop a plan that allowed the purchased lift to be installed.
The lift installation was $4,420, which included costs for modifying Richard’s existing deck and adding electrical wiring. The cost was covered by Vocational Rehabilitation Part B dollars. Sally says the lift is a “wonderful relief. I can get in and out so much easier.”