Success Stories

Tim Myers has experienced a life-changing transition through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Tim attended Salem Baptist School before receiving his GED. His family moved to Davidson County during his childhood, where his father worked three jobs and eventually started a cable contracting business. Tim worked in his father’s business until his 20s when he began experiencing health problems, including epilepsy, which later led to the discovery of traumatic brain injuries from his youth.

Tim was unable to work full time and tried applying for disability benefits but was never approved. He survived through the support of his family, doing odd jobs, and scrapping wire. Tim enjoyed living independently in an apartment near his family, but his life took a drastic turn in 2020 when he lost his ability to walk. Numb on his right side, Tim had to call his father for help, leading to a hospital stay and eventually a three-year stay in a nursing home in Clemmons during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While living in the nursing home, Tim faced immense loneliness and confinement to his bed for almost two years. He described the nursing home as having “no quality of life”, and it was a struggle to regain functionality.

The turning point came when a social worker informed him about the Money Follows the Person program. Through MFP, Tim connected with Kathryn, his transition coordinator, who played a pivotal role in helping him move back into the community. Tim first moved into his parents’ house for six months while waiting for his apartment. Living in their living room was challenging, but it was a stepping stone to his ultimate goal: living independently. In November 2023, Tim finally moved into his own apartment, close to his family.

Tim's new apartment has brought a sense of peace and community that he hadn’t felt in years. He has supportive neighbors who check on him, and he enjoys the quietness and freedom of his space. "I can wake up, I’ve made friends, I have good neighbors who care," he says. The contrast to the constant noise and lack of privacy in the nursing home is stark.

Living in his apartment has allowed Tim to accomplish significant personal goals. With the support of his therapist, he has lost weight, discontinued his diabetic medications, and started attending church again. These achievements have boosted his confidence and given him a sense of purpose.

Tim receives assistance from a paid nurse aide, Yetta, who visits six days a week for four hours each day. She helps him with essential tasks such as going to the doctor, grocery shopping, cleaning, and cooking. Tim cherishes the ability to choose his meals and enjoys the simple pleasures, he said, “I thought I would not get to eat fried potatoes again.”

Another joy of living at home is reconnecting with his family, especially meeting his great-nieces and nephew, who were born during the pandemic. The rigid and often uncomfortable conditions of the nursing home, such as temperature disagreements with roommates and frequent staff changes, are now behind him.

Reflecting on his journey, Tim acknowledges the challenges of transitioning to independent living, such as adjusting to a new environment and managing logistics. However, the freedom and independence far outweigh these difficulties. To anyone in a nursing home contemplating a transition to community living, Tim offers this advice:

"It’s normal to be nervous, but the change is worth it. Having your freedom is invaluable. You get to eat what you want and live how you want, and that makes all the difference."