Leo and Marie Kenley still live in the home they bought in 1958 in the Hawthorne neighborhood on the near Westside of Indianapolis. Though the Kenleys have seen many changes in the neighborhood over the past 52 years, they still are deeply committed to the community. But as the Kenleys have gotten older, they have begun facing new challenges. 

“My husband is struggling with the fact that he wants to do everything for himself, but he just can’t. I got past that three years ago,” Marie said.

On Saturday, Aug. 14, the Kenleys were among 12 homeowners who benefitted from CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions’ inaugural Safe at Home event, a high-impact, half-day of service to homeowners over the age of 60 to help make their homes safe and accessible for daily living. CICOA, along with the help of more than 100 volunteers including some Indianapolis Indians players, provided home modifications in the Hawthorne, Haughville and Stringtown neighborhoods.

The home improvement projects included the addition of grab bars in bathrooms, installing handrails and banisters on steps, installing comfort height toilets, changing out lavatory faucets for those with lever handles, and repairing broken concrete. In addition, CICOA coordinated a neighborhood clean-up effort, trimming bushes and removing weeds at the various homes, St. Anthony Catholic Church and Max Bahr Park.

At the Kenleys’, CICOA installed three grab bars in the bathroom, two banisters for the basement steps, and one handrail on the front steps. Marie was enthusiastic.

“I’m very pleased!” she said. “I’m using the grab bars to get in and out of the tub, and they really help me steady myself.”

Even Leo, though at first hesitant, is appreciative of the help. Talking to CICOA volunteers at his home on Saturday, Leo discovered that one of them used to drive for McLean Trucking, his former employer.

“All the volunteers were wonderful,” Marie said, “but having that connection was fantastic!”

The renovation projects were privately funded by individual and corporate donations to CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions. The title sponsor was Clarian Health. Additional sponsors included Etelcare Home Services Unlimited, Renovations for Life, ACME Health Services, Millers Health System, Home Safe Homes, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Unit Step and the Indianapolis Indians.