Alone In America

Mohammed Aeybo is in his nineties. Born in Ethiopia, he entered the U.S. in 2002 with two adult sons after surviving years of suffering in a refugee camp in Kenya. After his arrival in the U.S., Mohammed lived with his sons in a Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) highrise. Mohammed's sons eventually moved out.

Mohammed was left alone to fend for himself and quickly became depressed. To complicate matters, he had various health problems associated with his advanced age. He was very frail and his body was in a state of decline. Sometimes he fell and lost bladder control. He was forgetful and showed signs of dementia. Mohammed needed help with almost everything. He received general economic assistance but didn't know what other resources were available to help him due to his inability to speak English. So, Mohammed spent most days sitting in a chair alone. 

When it seemed as though Mohammed might be headed for a nursing home, Volunteers of America's Highrise Social Services program stepped in to help. The program staff works in forty MPHA apartment building to help elderly and/or disabled residents, manage a variety of social services matters including economic assistance eligibility, physical and mental health, financial concerns, housing needs, personal crises, and more. The program staff works with Hennepin County and community agencies to identify appropriate services that will assist residents in continuing to live independently. Volunteers of America's Highrise Social Services social worker, Mahdi Nur, learned about Mohammed and visited him to assess his needs.

Mohammed had difficulty managing daily activities including dressing, bathing, feeding, laundry and house cleaning. So, Mahdi arranged for several hours of PCA (Personal Care Attendant) services. Mohammed was eligible for just three hours of PCA service, but he needed more.  Therefore, Mahdi connected Mohammed with the legal resources required to appeal for an increase in service hours and accompanied Mohammed to the four-hour hearing. As a result, Mohammed's eligibility for PCA services was increased.

Mahdi also became aware of Mohammed's depression and isolation. For that reason, Mahdi made an appointment for Mohammed to see a doctor and get appropriate medication to meet his mental and physical health needs. Mahdi also arranged for Mohammed to begin attending our on-site senior dining program, as well as recruited other elders to socialize with him and escort him to the Mosque for daily prayer.

In this process of sorting out Mohammed's affairs, Mahdi discovered that Mohammed's citizenship case had been closed due to a missed deadline. Mahdi completed the paperwork to reopen Mohammed's case. Next, it became clear that Mohammed was mentally unable to pass a history test required for citizenship because of his advanced age. So, Mahdi arranged for Mohammed to be evaluated by a doctor and psychiatrist who provided the paperwork necessary to waive that requirement.

Today, Mohammed continues to live independently and his body has become much stronger.  Now that he has adequate help with daily activities, and regular opportunities for socialization with others, he feels less isolated and his depression has almost vanished. In February, Mohammed became a U.S. citizen and now has a renewed will to live independently- as an American.

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