New HUD grant for seniors

By Max Heuer

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2002--The Bush administration announced a new grant Wednesday designed to help seniors in Dover stay in their homes longer and live independently.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development allotted the Dover Housing Authority a $200,000 Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) program grant.

The Dover Housing Authority, which provides elderly housing units to 297 seniors, collaborates with Wentworth Homecare and Hospice to provide home medical and homemaking services under the Dover program, which has existed for five years.

Dover Housing Authority supportive services coordinator Kathryn Conway-Dorr said the program provides seniors with help doing basic house cleaning and errands.

"If the resident has trouble or is putting themselves at risk, the homemaker coming in can be there," Conway-Dorr said in a telephone interview.

The grant marks the third straight year HUD has funded the program with a $200,000 ROSS grant.

Conway-Dorr said the grant "has allowed us to reach all of our residents on some level; it's not just for the most frail elderly."

The Dover program also provides information for seniors who do not need assistance to keep themselves safe and healthy.

Published in The Manchester Union Leader, in New Hampshire.