Betty and Louis Flores have been married for over 60 years. They have three daughters and enjoy spending time together. Family means everything to them so when 89-year old Louis was told he would have to go into a nursing home after a recent surgery, the whole family got involved.

“My sisters and I have planned for years that when mom and dad needed care, I would be the one to take care of them,” said daughter, Carol. “There was never a time we talked about anything else. They are comfortable here in their home and neighborhood. They wouldn’t want anyone else helping except family.”

Earlier this year they were fortunate enough to get a ramp built on their home from Rebuilding Together Oakland County, which is one of the nation’s leading non-profit organizations helping veterans and low income families receive home repairs. The Flores needed a ramp built on their home after Lois had knee replacement surgery.

“The ramp is a blessing!” said Lois who is a veteran who fought in WW II. “I never thought this was possible to get this kind of help from so many terrific organizations. Our home is heaven now.”

Governor Rick Snyder knows first hand how important it is to people to find good, quality in-home care. He and his family had to make some decisions on how to provide care to his parents while they were still in their home. Unfortunately the experience they had did not have a good outcome. Watch the Support at Home video to find out what happened.

Rima Charara spent many years living in a state-run hospital in Mt. Pleasant. The facility was closed down several years ago and that’s when Rima made the transition to living in her own home. The transition was a difficult one but with the help of her staffing agency and the loving care of family and friends, Rima has been enjoying life in her downriver community.

Her sister Saada talks about how it was a difficult transition at first but through trial and error, the family and Rima, are very pleased with the in-home care and community-based services and supports that Rima is receiving.

“My sister smiles a lot now and that makes all of us happy,” said Saada. “We have seen such a change in her personality. She attends community events, enjoys working out at a local health club and has started her own small business. We can’t tell you how proud we are of her.”

Mitchell Underwood was taught at a young age to listen to his grandfather’s advice and join the military. And that’s exactly what he did. After being there for several months, Milan resident Underwood was injured.

“I was in Bethesda Hospital for a while and that’s where I received the Purple Heart,” said Underwood. “My husband was one person when he left for the war and a completely different one when he came back,” said Samantha Underwood. “But the resources we have used are helping him become the Mitchell I knew before Afghanistan.”

Underwood is recovering and would like to go back to school to become a Biomedical Technician. He and his wife have moved into a new home and are expecting their second baby.