Repairs That Restore Independence
For many older adults across the New Bern region, aging at home is more than just keeping to familiar routines. It is about staying in a place where each wall tells their story, and they maintain independence and dignity.
As physical needs change, that independence can begin to slip away. A step becomes difficult to climb. A bathroom is no longer safe to navigate. An HVAC unit falls into disrepair. Without the ability to make necessary repairs and accommodations, a home that once offered comfort and stability can begin to feel limiting and, at times, unsafe.
Yet for seniors living on fixed incomes, even modest repairs are often out of reach. Minor structural issues quickly escalate into serious concerns. In rural communities, where homes are older and resources are limited, these challenges are often compounded by long waitlists and few available contractors.
These conditions leave many seniors facing the choice between remaining in a home that no longer meets their needs or leaving behind the place that defines their independence.
The Choosing Home Program offers a different path forward.
Through targeted home repairs and accessibility improvements, Catholic Charities in the New Bern region is helping restore both safety and dignity for older adults who want to age in place. They have built a community coalition of over 100 volunteers including teams from Coastal Carolina Disaster Resiliency Agency, Baptist Aging Ministries, Baptists on Mission, and members from St. Mildred parish in Swansboro, NC. Since March 2025, they have helped 78 aging neighbors in need throughout the region.
The work is practical, but its impact is deeply personal. Each repair is a step toward preserving independence.
Kitti Hardison, Program Director for the New Bern Region, has seen
firsthand how small changes can transform a person’s quality of life.
“We worked with a resident in Craven County who uses a wheelchair and could not safely get in and out of her home,” Hardison said. “Her doorways were too narrow, and the ramp outside had become unsafe. We were able to widen both entryways and repair the ramp so she could move freely again. During the work, we also uncovered a serious electrical issue that we were able to fix before it caused harm.”
What began as an accessibility challenge became an opportunity to restore safety and peace of mind.
This kind of work is made possible through strong community partnerships and targeted grant funding. Support from the Craven County Aging Planning Board, through the Housing and Home Improvement Community Care Block Grant, is helping ensure that the Choosing Home Program can continue serving seniors in Craven County.
Through the Choosing Home Program, the result is more than a repaired house, it is the ability for seniors across the New Bern region to remain in their homes, surrounded by what is familiar, with their dignity and independence intact.