Ilene Beard’s health challenges didn’t begin because of aging — they began because of a tragic medical accident during a routine surgery.
Nearly 24 years ago, Beard’s doctors accidentally dropped her from an operating table. The incident left her with severe nerve damage, making everyday tasks like walking up and down stairs extremely difficult.
Because of her disabilities, Beard was unable to access the freezer in her garage and struggled to safely enter and exit her Westminster home due to a wide threshold at the front entrance.
“I was afraid I was going to fall,” said Beard. “The new step is really a life changer.”
Thanks to Brothers Redevelopment and financial support from Intermountain Health, Beard and her husband, Tom, received life-changing home modifications and repairs — allowing them to age in place safely and with dignity.
The couple has worked with Brothers Redevelopment since 2021, receiving services such as plumbing repairs, grab bars, railings, a stairlift, lift recliners, shower expansion, and more.
“It’s like Christmas this year. I feel very secure,” said Beard.
The Beards also enrolled in Brothers Redevelopment’s CAPABLE Program, a service designed to empower individuals to age in place and remain active in their communities.
CAPABLE engages participants through a series of 10 visits over four to six months, led by an occupational therapist, a registered nurse, and a maintenance technician. The program is uniquely participant-driven, allowing individuals to set personal goals and actively shape their journey toward increased mobility, function, and independence.
Ilene’s goal was to get out of the house and walk more in her neighborhood. Tom focused on rebuilding his strength after an illness left him weighing just 80 pounds.
Thanks to the modifications and support they received through Brothers Redevelopment, Ilene has returned to church and enrolled in a Bible class. Meanwhile, Tom has gained weight and is beginning to feel healthier through his work with a nurse and occupational therapist in the CAPABLE program.
“The house is safer for us, and we’re not facing having to go to assisted living now,” said Beard. “We can stay here in our home, which we love. I just feel so much better. I know I can manage the steps now. To me, it’s almost a miracle.”